The academic decline that takes place when kids are on summer break, known as the Summer Slide, has now turned into the COVID-19 Slide. And, he’s seeing elementary and middle school students struggling the most, since they are in the process of learning new skills. James believes education leaders know that this COVID-19 Slide is and will be a problem ahead. “There’s just a lot of risk to just kind of get by on the homework, but they’re not learning anything. James said because of social distancing, tutoring facilities have had to limit the number of students they see at their facilities.