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Retain Learning Over Summer - Steps You Can Take to Build an Effective College Prep Program for Your Teens

Sylvan Learning offers solutions to fill in learning gaps and move forward with enrichment
activities this summer

(Baltimore, MD, April 30, 2009) – It is a known fact that all students experience learning loss when they do not engage in educational activities during summer. This loss of learning can lead to academic setbacks which are especially detrimental for young adults preparing for college.

What can you do to help combat summer learning loss with your own kids? Does the threat of learning loss mean the end of summer fun?

"Interesting and targeted summer programs can close achievement gaps and help your teen go back to school or college in the fall ready to take on new learning challenges," explains Rusty Greiff, vice president of Sylvan Learning College Prep. "Summer is a perfect time to address classes focused on core subjects that will help your teen succeed academically."

Some national studies state that as many as 40 percent¹ of students are required to take remedial classes during college due to inadequate academic foundations. The summer months can be used to prepare students to ace the college entrance exams and develop the college readiness skills needed for lifelong success.

College admissions today are becoming very competitive. New tools, such as the common application, encourage students to apply to more schools. This increases the competition, making it more difficult for students to gain acceptance into the colleges and universities that were once seen as safe bets.

What does this mean for students?

"A well-rounded application, including strong SAT and ACT scores, is critical," adds Greiff. "Getting a college education requires a lot of time, effort and careful planning by students and parents working together."

Sylvan Learning is a one-stop resource for navigating the college prep process by offering interactive tools that provide superior test preparation and programs teaching academic life skills needed for university classes.

Sylvan Learning offers targeted, individualized SAT/ACT programs that will help students improve their test scores. In fact, a majority of students in the Sylvan College Prep program increase their scores an average of 160 points or more for the SAT and up to 5 points for the ACT. Offered in small group settings, these classes are five to eight weeks in length. Students take a practice exam before the classes begin, at the halfway point and at the end of the classes. The programs focus on the exact skills needed to successfully answer test questions and offer specialized instruction in specific subject areas such as advanced mathematics, college prep writing and advanced reading.

According to the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, students who complete Algebra II are more than twice as likely to graduate from college as those students with less math preparation. Whether it is Algebra I or II, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus or integrated math, Sylvan math experts help build a solid academic foundation by developing individualized plans to meet the exact learning needs of college-bound students.

Writing is crucial to achieving higher test scores, composing college application essays, and becoming a better communicator. Sylvan's College Prep Writing is a 36-hour writing program designed specifically for the college-bound high school student. The program goals are designed to give students a solid foundation in upper-level writing, including “how-to” help with college applications and essays, targeting efforts on SAT/ACT writing sections, refining research skills and understanding MLA formatting and source documentation.

Reading enrichment can be yet another vital activity for the summer months. To help students develop a love of reading, Sylvan Learning offers a variety of reading programs – including beginning, academic, and advanced reading. Sylvan Learning offers individualized plans to build reading skills, habits and techniques that students need to reduce study time, score higher on college entrance exams, prepare for college and succeed in school.

Go ahead! Lay the foundation for a better school year this summer.

To plan your summer learning schedule, visit www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.

¹ Source: CollegeBoard, providers of the SAT^®, the PSAT/NMSQT^®, and the Advanced Placement Program^® (AP^®)

About Sylvan Learning

Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages, grades and skill levels. Sylvan Learning is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2009 and has nearly 1,100 centers located throughout North America. Sylvan’s proven process and personalized methods have inspired more than 2 million students to discover the joy of learning. Sylvan's trained and certified personal instructors provide individual instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan helps transform unique kids into uniquely inspired learners with the skills to do better in school and the confidence to do better in everything else. Visit www.DrRickBlog.com to share your personal academic experiences and comment on academic trends. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS or visit www.SylvanLearning.com.

For more information, contact:
Jennifer Gaegler, Sylvan Learning Center
(410) 843-8928
jennifer.gaegler@sylvanlearning.com