Rise In Year-Round Schools
By Dr. Marciene Mattleman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Year-round schools are not new and lately there's been a surge.
Currently year-round calendars account for 4.1% of public schools and 11% are charters. Most have been attempts to solve overcrowding. Recently there have been grant programs in Virginia and Michigan for implementation.
In year-round schools, kids attend the same number of days as those in traditional schools, have two or three mini-vacations and, by not having the long summer off, can avoid summer learning loss. No longer do they use the 100-year-old model.
US Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois has introduced legislation that will promote year-round pilots in underperforming schools mostly serving low-income families.
A 2011 study at Simpson College in Iowa showed statistically significant results in improving achievement scores; but most studies found little differences - some only modestly positive.
Testimony from principals has been encouraging; but parents don't like family schedule disruption.
Learn more in Education Week.