Year-Round Education

1. Year-Round Education Christin DeMaria Jessica Gerz Jennifer Spencer-Strong Kristen Ulloa

2. Definition Definition of YRE in general goes here Six weeks is accepted as the maximum to be classified as YRE unless an individualized format purposely provides for special furloughs. Image Courtesy of Google Images

3. Single-track YRE Single Track Year Round Education is when every student is in school at the same time, just like a regular school schedule. One version of single track is the 45-15 schedule. Students and teachers attend school for 45 days (9 weeks) and then have a 15 day (3 weeks) vacation. During the vacation period many school systems have “intersessions” which is extra help for students who need it, similar to summer school.

4. Multi-track YRE Multi-track YRE staggers the students learning and on vacation in groups. There are usually 4 groups for a school. For example, in a 12 week period, every student would get 9 weeks in school and 3 weeks on vacation. Group A, B, and C could be learning while group D is on vacation. 3 weeks later, Group B, C, and D are learning while group A is on vacation. This process just repeats all year long. This can either relieve overcrowding or reduce the size of classes in schools, which in turn can save money instead of building a new school to accomplish the same goal.

5. As early as 1904, the concept of year round schooling has been around. The first community to realize this concept was Blufferton, Indiana. They implemented a four quarter school year, an early form of YRS. This was not permanent because the school returned to a regular school schedule in 1915. Background Information

6. Background Continued The longest running multi-track, year round school in North America is the Becky David School . It is located in St. Charles, Missouri. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, several states experimented with the concept of YRS. These YRS schools were discontinued because of declining enrollment.

7. Background Continued In the 1980’s, year round schooling again reappeared. This was due to overcrowding in schools from: Economic pressures Changing immigration patterns Internal demographics Tighter job market

8. Why is the issue under scrutiny • Big change from the current system. • Research shows no difference in academic achievement from traditional calendar students. • Children benefit from different learning experiences during breaks. • Difficulties for families – timing issues. • Education Week

9. Important to current condition of education • there are severe problems with overcrowding • lack of resources: teachers, books, class space, computers

10. Research Results YRS has no significant improvements in students academic achievement compared to regular calendar schooling. Doesn’t decrease students’ involvement in crime. Students still skip school, hindering the learning process Doesn’t reduce “summer learning loss”

11. 20-30 percent more students in one school Save money instead of building new school “Intersessions” leave time for help for students who need it More expensive transportation Scheduling extra-curricular such as sports becomes tough Maintenance takes longer and must happen at night Many more Pros and Cons

12. Teachers/Administrations Opinions • Extremely time consuming for teachers and administrators, hard to take breaks (vacations). • Difficult to stay on track if one teacher gets off track. • Lose extra income earned with summer jobs • In a North Carolina survey of year-round schools "over half of the principals indicated that running a year-round calendar required more operational funds than a traditional calendar.” ( NOT always more cost effect)

13. Public Opinion • Can be very difficult for parents to accommodate their children’s school schedule (Taking off on their breaks). • Does not allow participation in extra-curricular activities. • Frequent breaks when learning new material (forget easily). • Can cause a lot of stress for students (constant work).

14. We recommend to end year round schooling. • There’s little difference in student achievement in schools with YRE compared to regular calendar schools. • Teachers don’t change their teaching methods. • Expensive to keep schools open all year • Teachers unhappy because they have no vacation • Impacts family environment • Impacts businesses because students can’t work “summer” jobs

15. References • (2004, September 10). Year-round schooling. Edweek.org, Retrieved April 1, 2008, from http://www.edweek.org/rc/issues/year-round-schooling/ • Debate topic: Year round school. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from eMints National Center Web site: http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001241.shtml • Glines, Don (2003). Year-round education. Encyclopedia of Education, 7, Retrieved April 1, 2008, from Kristen Ulloa • Kelly, Melissa Year round education: Pros and cons. about.com, Retrieved April 1, 2008, from http://712educators.about.com/cs/reformtime/a/yearrounded.htm • Kneese, Carolyn (2000). Teaching in year-round schools. ERIC Clearinghouse on Teaching and Teacher Education Washington , Retrieved April 1, 2008, from http://www.kidsource.com/education/teach.year.round.html • Mission statement. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from The National Association for Year-Round Education Web site: http://nayre.org/about.html • Ohio State University (2007, August 14). Year-round schools don't boost learning, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2007/08/070811151449.htm • Perlez, Jane (1988, March, 3). New york schools chief proposes 11-month year to ease crowding . The New York Times, Retrieved April 1, 2008, from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE2D81538F930A35750C0A96E948260 • White, Eugene Knowing the way and trying to get there. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from National Association for Year-Round Education Web site: http://www.nayre.org/dr__eugene_white.htm