I have been working in a traditional school year calendar
my entire teaching career. However, I’m very interested in seeing how a
year-round school year calendar will compare. When I first heard of year-round
school, I was like no way I cannot do that. But, after speaking with other
educators and reading, I found out that several year-round models have 180 days
just like the traditional school year calendar. The differences between the two
are the days off. I feel especially in the field of education, mental breaks every
once in a while are vital for how teachers hold up during a school year. I would
like to try it. I wouldn’t mind teaching 45 days straight and having a 3 week
vacation. The only downfall in my eyes would be the summer break with losing
two months off. On the other hand, I feel students don’t retain information
over the summer break. I feel that having short breaks will help students stay
in the swing of things with learning. Additionally, I feel students will have a
better focus during the year knowing that they have scheduled breaks throughout
the year.
I feel parents will not be in favor of year-round
school. With students being off for three weeks, that will cause parents to
make adjustments to their work schedules. Some parents will have to be creative
in finding ways to keep their kids. On the other hand, some other parents may
not have an issue depending on their work schedules making a way. Although I am
in favor of year-round school, I can see why others may not be. I would like to
see some research on year-round school vs. traditional school. I’m interested in
knowing how they stack up with each other especially with student achievement.
Jarrod,
ReplyDeleteGwinnett County does not have year round school. However, I was a student when Rockdale County shifted towards a "balanced" calendar. I also student taught in Floyd County where they had a similar model.
Just as important as it is for teachers to have mental health days. I think our students need time off to process the information they are learning and so they stay motivated with learning.
We never received three weeks off at a time. Actually,our breaks were very similar to that of school districts with a regular calendar. In Rockdale, their breaks are for a week (essentially, they get a break every season) and their summer breaks are relatively about the same length as ours. Furthermore, parents have adapted to the model and most after school programs have adapted the times they are open to correlate when students are off. I think it takes effort from the community to make balanced calendars work.
I know in the county I student taught in, they had an intercession during their weeks off. During this week, students who are struggling come in for extra tutoring. Therefore, students who need that consistent instruction continue to receive it.
Jarrod,
ReplyDeleteI've gone back and forth with this too! Though it is nice to have two months off in the summer, I do not see the value for the children. Summer is often a time for getting in trouble and forgetting everything you've learned in the school year! I would definitely be interested in investigating the pros/cons of year-round school!
Jarrod,
ReplyDeleteI have been at a school that had more of a balanced calendar than a year round school, but we found it was difficult for parents to accommodate the schedule due to childcare and their schedules. The school system I worked for now is back on a typical school schedule because there was so much pushback from the parents. I believe if one district goes to year round, then many of the other districts surrounding it would have to do the same. This would help with daycares and workplaces working around the school calendar.
Check out Elite Scholars Academy in Clayton County. The school is a district charter school and has a balanced calendar. Academically, students do very well. However, this schedule may not be for everyone.
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