Summer Melt

The summer after high school can be a time of significant attrition among college-bound seniors-especially for those from low-income families. Stunningly, as many as forty percent of these students fail to matriculate at any postsecondary institution the following fall. In Summer Melt, Benjamin L. Castleman and Lindsay C. Page explore the complex factors that contribute to this trend and show how schools and districts can develop effective, low-cost, scalable responses-including the use of counselor outreach, peer mentoring, and text messages and social media-to help students stay on track over the summer. "Summer Melt addresses an urgent national issue. These practical strategies for increasing college enrollment among underrepresented students will affect the lives of thousands of young people across the country." - Teresa A. Sullivan, president, University of Virginia "Benjamin L. Castleman and Lindsay C. Page take a hard look at the all-important transition from high school graduation to college enrollment, and highlight the critical need for support-especially for first-generation college students-when navigating the final steps during the summer." - Kim Cook, executive director, National College Access Network "Summer Melt is an outstanding example of how rigorous academic research can make the world a better place. Benjamin L. Castleman and Lindsay C. Page don't just identify a stunning problem; they come up with and test solutions so that policy makers and education leaders have an evidence-based path to helping more low-income youth succeed in college. The official report for the White House College Opportunity Summit relied heavily on the research described in this book." - Gene Sperling, national economic advisor and director of the National Economic Council for President Obama (2011-2014) and President Clinton (1996-2000) "By using the strategies discussed in Summer Melt, we have helped many of our students fulfill their aspirations of attending college. All K-12 leaders should read this book!" - Robert M. Avossa, superintendent, Fulton County Schools, Georgia Benjamin L. Castleman is an assistant professor of education and public policy at the University of Virginia. Lindsay C. Page is an assistant professor of education and a research scientist at the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh.