Tips to help kids beat the summer slide at home

The extended summer break from school can exacerbate learning gaps, particularly for students who are already struggling with reading. But in Muskegon, an evidence-based literacy nonprofit is helping change that story.

Beyond Basics, a Detroit-based organization focused on one-on-one literacy tutoring, is expanding its reach into Muskegon Public Schools just in time to help families combat the so-called “summer slide,” a well-documented regression in academic skills during summer months. 

The nonprofit, which has served students across Michigan for more than two decades, offers in-person and virtual tutoring to help students strengthen foundational reading skills and build confidence heading into fall.

“Students who are not reading at a proficient level need high-impact, tailored support,” says Pamela Good, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Basics. “That means a diagnostic assessment, daily one-on-one tutoring, and a phonics-based approach.”

‘Remarkable growth’

In Muskegon, the organization has partnered with Bunker Elementary School, Charles Hackley, Oak View Elementary School, Orchard View High School, and Orchard View Middle School to deliver individualized literacy interventions.
Pamela Good
“At Orchard View Middle School, we’ve seen remarkable growth in our students’ reading abilities since implementing the Beyond Basics program this semester,” says Principal Joshua Smith. “Students feel seen, supported, and motivated. It’s changing their mindset and building confidence.”

Across the state, 94% of students in the Beyond Basics program showed measurable improvement in reading skills, according to internal data. The organization’s summer programming includes virtual tutoring designed to be accessible and flexible for families, especially those facing financial or logistical barriers.

Beyond Basics was launched in 2002 after Good and her late co-founder, Joanne Wagerson, began volunteering in Detroit schools and realized many students lacked basic literacy skills. The nonprofit has since evolved into a statewide leader in reading intervention, offering a research-backed solution to a decades-old literacy crisis.

“The 2024 NAEP shows nearly 70% of eighth-graders are not reading at a proficient level,” Good says. “This isn’t a new problem; it’s been with us for decades and was worsened by the pandemic. But there are proven strategies that can work, especially when the community comes together.”

Integrating learning into daily life

One of those strategies is empowering parents to weave learning into daily routines at home.

“Reading a recipe out loud, asking your child to read signs at the store, or even turning on subtitles while watching a movie, these everyday moments can all support literacy,” Good says. “When learning feels like play, it becomes part of a child’s world, not a chore.”

Libraries also offer free and low-cost tools to make reading a regular part of family life. Many host summer reading challenges and activities that encourage kids to stay engaged outside the classroom.

For families looking for more structured support, Beyond Basics is offering discounted virtual tutoring this summer – $45 per session, down from the regular $75 – with free pre- and post-assessments.

“Our mission is to meet each student where they are,” Good says. “We want every child to discover the joy of reading and enter the next school year with the skills and confidence to succeed.”

For more information or to register for summer tutoring, visit beyondbasics.org/tutoring.