Year-Round Schooling

Do year-round schools foster a positive student learning environment, culture

and climate in school?

Two types of year-round schools:

1. Extension of the school calendar increases the number of days each child
is in school. Extends the school year to 220-240 school days.
2. Rearrangement of the school calendar that institutes more frequent,
shorter breaks throughout the school year (Texas, p.115).

Advantages

It offers remedial studies during breaks

Continuity of learning for ESL students

Breaks up vacations into smaller chunks

Higher ACT scores

Disadvantages

Finding child care during break periods

Summer jobs for teens

Some parents and educators do not like this

system because it is not traditional - its not what
they are used to.

Survey of Texas School

Principals
Principals in year-round and 9-month schools were given a survey to
complete on their perception of certain arguments against year-round
schooling.
They perceive no significant problems in recruitment and retention of
staff.
They do not support the concerns that YRS interferes with family leisure
time in summer months.
They did not feel that YRS interfered with extracurricular activities in
elementary schools, but secondary principals responded differently.
They enthusiastically responded to the proposition that YRS increases
student achievement. Particularly for bilingual and special education
students.
They also supported the notion that YRS helps students retain material
and affects test scores.
The results of this survey support the need for empirical data to confirm
these perceptions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
feature=player_detailpage&v=-my0YxtLBHs

Teacher Job Satisfaction in YearRound School

Timber Lane Elementary in Fairfax County, Virginia. 1998.
50% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

Has benefited students and families and has positively

impacted staff.

Innovative, supportive school administrators.

Flexible work opportunities and periodic breaks.

Decreased teacher absenteeism.

Result in improved teacher retention and job satisfaction.
Authors cite research that year-round school can improve
student climate, increase communication, foster innovation in
teaching and learning, and reduce teacher stress and burnout.

References
1. Balanced Calendar image:
Bennecke, T. (2012, July 3). Yay Summer! [Web log comment] Retrieved from:
http://www.redapplereading.com/blog/2012/07/yay-summer-or-not-traditional-vsyear-round-school-calendars-their-impact-on-learning/
2. Haser, S., Nasser, I.(2003). Teacher job satisfaction in a year-round school.
Educational Leadership, 60. Retreived from EBSCO.
3. McGlynn, A. Districts that school year-round. Retrieved from:
www.asa.org/schoolAdministrationArticle.aspx?
id=10416&terms=year+round+schooling
4. Opheim, C., Mohajer, K., Read, Jr., R. (1995). Evaluating year-round schools in Texas.
Education, 116. Retrieved from EBSCO.
5. Skinner, R. (2014). Year-round schools in brief. Retrieved from: http://www.fas.
org/sgp/crs/misc/R43588.pdf
6. States with year-round public schools image:
Worsnop, R. (1996, May 17). Year-round schools. CQ Researcher, 6, 433-456.
Retrieved from:
http://photo.pds.org:5012/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre1996051700
7. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools. Retrieved from: www.scholastic.com

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