Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Year-Round School?

As many Chicago schools move to a year-round school schedule- (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-cps-yearroundapr22,0,6303193.story), it is important for educators to remember that the actual number of school days students attend will not increase. Advocates for the change say that by shortening summer break teachers will have to spend less time reviewing in the fall and students may have an easier transition back into the school setting. However, is simply rearranging the calendar really going to impact student learning and test scores? I believe the best way to prepare all students is to determine what works best for each district. That being said, there needs to be funding available to districts if they decide that year-rounding schooling is necessary. Growing up I spent June, July and August at various summer camps, attending art programs and working at a local retail shop. These opportunities have helped shaped the person I am just as much as my formal education. I am also aware that many children are not as lucky and send much of their free time in front of the T.V. or getting into trouble. In lower social-economic areas year-round schooling may prove to be more effective. However, before radical decisions are made both sides must be considered, and schools should take time to examine results of year-round calendars in schools similar in student populations and demographics. Public school calendars should not be regulated at the federal or state level other then making sure children have at least 180 days of attendance. This way districts can meet the needs of its learners and no child has to suffer in either situation.

For more year-round schooling pros and cons go to:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1145774/pros_and_cons_of_yearround_schools.html?cat=4

2 comments:

  1. I also believe there is a lot of issues to consider before jumping into a year round school. By not having a summer break students will not have the same opportunities we had when we were growing up. During my summer breaks I had the time to socialize with friends, work to make money I spent during the school year (so I didn't have to work during the school year), and had time for extended once in a lifetime travel opportunities. One summer I went to Australia as a sports ambassador. While aboard I got to play volleyball, sight see and meet many people of a different culture than me. This was one of the best adventures of my childhood and without summer breaks I would not have been able to go.

    I understand that rearranging the school days to decrease the time spent reviewing material in September would be beneficial, but to what degree. Are the students going to make that much more of a gain in academics from year to year? The time spent reviewing would probably end up to be the same amount if you added up all the time after each smaller break.

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  2. I think we need to be careful before we make assumptions about what type of schooling (year-round or not, for example) is best for "low-income" students or schools. Our society seems determined to "reform" low-income schooling into something completely different from high- and middle-income schooling, reforms which, perhaps, actually contribute to reproducing low-income populations. It's too easy for those with privileges (such as summer camps, trips, etc) to say that because low-income kids don't have those experiences that year-round schooling makes more sense for them. What about thinking outside the box...and maybe making it possible for low-income kids to GO to summer camp? In any case, my point is to be careful about thinking that because we (high- and middle-income people, or those who grew up in such families) can easily provide useful prescriptions for the schooling of kids from lower-income families.

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