The 6,000-Hour Learning Gap

By the time they reach 6th grade, middle class kids have likely spent 6,000 more hours learning than kids born into poverty. Sounds like a big gap? In this video, check our math.

The 6,000 Hour Learning Gap: Sources

The following studies describe the amount of time average students spend in enriching learning opportunities and/or the learning time access gap for low-income students.  

• Afterschool Alliance (2013), 21st century community learning centers, 
• Balfanz, R. (2009) Putting Middle Grades Students on the Graduation Path. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University.
• Barnett and Nores (2012), Estimated participation and hours in early care and education by type of arrangement and income at ages 2 to 4 in 2010;
• Barnett, et al., (2012), The state of pre-school 2012, 
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, (2012), Economic news release, 
• Coley, R.J. (2002) An uneven start: Indicators of inequality in school readiness. Princeton: Educational Testing Service. NJ.
• Gutiérrez , K. D., Izquierdo, C., & Kremer-Sadlik, T. (2010). Middle class working families’ beliefs and engagement in children’s extra-curricular activities: The social organization of children’s futures. The International Journal of Learning, 17(3), 633-656.
• Hofferth and Sandberg, (2000), An uneven start: Indicators of inequality in school readiness, 
• Institute of Museum and Library Services, (2008), Public library report, 
• McLaughlin & Pitcock, (2009), 
• Meyer, D., Princiotta, D., & Lanahan, L. (2004). The Summer After Kindergarten: Children’s Activities and Library Use by Socioeconomic Status. (NCES 2004-037). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.
• PBS Frontline, (2012), 
• Wimer, et al. (2002), What are kids getting into these days?: Demographic differences in youth out-of school time participation, 
• Wimer, Christopher, Bouffard, S.M., Caronongan, P., Dearing, E., Simpkins, S., Little, P., & Weiss, H. (2006). What are kids getting into these days?: Demographic differences in youth out-of school time participation. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Family Research Project.