<p>Something during the SOTU address prompted my S to mention a study he read that showed most of the gap in student achievement test results occurred not during the school year (from fall to spring) but during the SUMMER. Students in poor households fell behind during the time they were not in school, whether from lack of access to books, or dearth of enrichment activities, camps, etc.</p>
<p>Seems to be an argument for year round schools.</p>
<p>Edit: Also seems to be an argument for the position that teachers really are doing the best they can, and otherwise capable students are being hurt by a poor home environment.</p>