This month's U.S. Department of Education TV show will focus on effective approaches to keeping students reading and learning during the summer. Program guests will discuss why it is important to sustain students' academic skills over the summer break—helping them to avoid the "summer slide" drop-off in skills—and what parents can do to encourage their children to continue learning.

The program is available live from 8 to 9 p.m. EDT Tuesday on the Dish Network, certain PBS stations and numerous cable outlets. Others will broadcast the show on a tape-delayed basis. A complete listing of viewing options is available at http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/index.html. In addition, the program will be webcast live and archived at www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/.

The program, entitled "Summer Programs: Keeping Students Reading and Learning," will showcase award-winning summer learning programs and spotlight the efforts of organizations dedicated to providing disadvantaged students with access to books and reading materials in the summer and throughout the year.

Following is an outline of the show.

• A dialogue with Ray Simon, deputy secretary, U.S. Department of Education, about the importance of maintaining student academic rigor through the summer months; tips on how to avoid the "summer slide" in reading skills that occur among students—particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds; and, key programs and initiatives the Department supports around summer reading.

• A conversation with Ron Fairchild, executive director, Center for Summer Learning at the Johns Hopkins School of Education, about the work of the center; activities parents and children can do to avoid the "summer slide;" and, the definition of what makes an effective summer program.

• A group discussion with Anne Byrne, executive director, Summer Scholars; Kevin Brezler, executive director, Summerbridge Pittsburgh; and Monica Logan, director of Youth Programs, SuperKids Camp! about their award-winning summer enrichment programs.

• A special dialogue with Lynda Lancaster, senior vice president for National Outreach at First Book; Carter Savage, vice president of Youth Development Services, Boys and Girls Clubs of America; and Mary Cameron, Youth Services Coordinator, State Library of Iowa, about the importance of engaging students in reading and learning over the summer and programs and resources available to parents to curb the effects of summer learning loss.

• Video profile of a summer literacy program for low-income students in Denver, Colo.; a video showcasing the Gulf Coast Reading Initiative and First Book's Book Relief initiative; and a public service announcement for high-quality summer reading programs promoted by a national consortium of state libraries.

The "Education News Parents Can Use" TV series airs monthly during the school year.

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