The Benefits and Costs By Susan Caldwell EDLE Curriculum for Educational Leaders Summer 2012

 Extended Year Extends the 180 day calendar to boost educational performance and put US on par with other industrialized countries. Recommended by Obama and Arne Duncan, Sec of the Dept of Ed (AP).  Multi-track YRE Alleviates over-crowding in schools experiencing rapid growth. Can increase building capacity by 25-33%. Used as a cost-saving measure instead of building new schools. Students are placed on “tracks”. Some tracks are in school, while one is on vacation.  Single track YRE The most popular form of YRE, and the model (in addition to Ext Year) that is purported to positively impact academic performance, particularly with regard to disadvantaged and ELL student groups.

year-round%5B1%5D.pdfounty,%20NC% year-round%5B1%5D.pdf Click this link to see a multi-track example. Pros Alleviates overcrowding Saves money Cons Roving classrooms Roving teachers Communication lapses Some grade-level intermingling Multi-track has been Implemented in California, Chicago, and Wake Co, NC (in the fast-growing research Triangle. Multi track students share traditional holidays, with shortened summers. If enrollment decreases, multi-track can be suspended.

Most of the debate focuses on the impact (or lack thereof) of single track YRE. Single track can take various forms: 45/15 (like the balanced) or 60/20 Graphs from National Association for Year-Round Education:

 Summer loss (reading, math, spelling) A serious problem, particularly for young learners in low SES areas.  Lack of supervision, engagement, and nutrition for many children during the summer  Opportunity for intersession (quarterly) is more immediate response for struggling students than traditional summer school programs.  Increased motivation (students and teachers)  Fewer behavior issues.  Improved attendance (students and & teachers)

 Summer loss is “not their problem” so to speak. (Bracey)  Desire to protect the longer summer  Some increased costs?  Worries that children’s schedules will not “match”  Worries about childcare during vacation periods  Studies have revealed minimal performance improvement in YRE schools, based on test results. At the high school level, it has even been shown to be detrimental (Pederson).

Support for YRE is particularly difficult to obtain in difficult economic periods. Some have asserted that YRE is the best way we have to level the playing field between the affluent and the disadvantaged. Teachers, students, and parents are overwhelmingly positive about their experiences on Single Track calendars. Open communication prior to implementing can resolve many issues.

Associated Press. (2009). Obama would curtail summer vacation. MSNBC.com, Education, retrieved July 14, 2012, from: Bracey, G. W. (2002) Summer loss: the phenomenon no one wants to deal with. Phi Delta Kappan. Vol. 84 Issue 1, p12. Clarke, C. (2009). Why we should get rid of summer vacation. The Atlantic.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012, from Dessoff, A. (2011). Is year-round schooling on track? District Administration. v47 n7 p34-36, 40, 45. Retrieved July 18, 2012, from Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Food Research and Action Center. (2010). Hunger doesn’t take a vacation: summer nutrition status report. Retrieved July 15, 2012 from Lindsay-Brown, S. (2010). Year-round school versus traditional school: the impact of academic calendars on student achievement at selected elementary schools in north central South Carolina. (Abstract). Retrieved July 16, 2012, from Mazzarella, J. (1984) "Longer Day, Longer Year: Will They Make a Difference?" Principal: 63, EJ Merino, B. (1983). "The Impact of Year-Round Schooling: A Review." URBAN EDUCATION 18, EJ Mutchler, S. (1993). Year-round education. SEDL Insights. Retrieved July 16, 2012, from Pederson, J. (2010). Length of school calendars and student achievement in high schools in California, Illinois, and Texas. Retrieved July 16, 2012, from Quinlan, C. (1987). Year-round education, year-round opportunities: a study of year-round education in California. Sacramento: California State Department of Education. Rasmussen, K. (2000). Year-round education: time to learn, time to grow. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Retrieved July 18, 2012, from Yeager, F. (2012). Year-round education program guide. Retrieved July 16, 2012 from the California Department of Education website: