The Journal Sentinel education reporters offer news and notes from their beat
Congressional report highlights year-round schools
Year-round schools are becoming more common nationally, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report.
According to the report, 3,700 public schools, operate year-round nationally, up from about 3,000 schools in 2000 and 410 in 1985. More than 4% of public schools in America are year-round schools, found the report.
The report utilized 2011-2012 National Center for Education Statistics data to provide an overview of year-round schools.
Year-round schools are defined as those that reorganize a traditional school year without allowing for any extended breaks from instruction. Instead, shorter breaks are redistributed throughout the year.
Milwaukee Public Schools has 13 year round schools, ranging from K4-8 schools to high schools, though year-round schooling is also available in Racine, La Crosse and a handful of other districts in the state.
Nationally, more than half of year-round schools are elementary schools, according to the report. Year-round schools averaged more school days during the 2011-2012’ school year, lasting an average of 189 days compared to 180 days at traditional schools.
The report also stated that nearly half of year-round schools had 75% or more of their students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
A list of pros and cons of year-round schooling was also listed in the report.
- Can prevent loss of learning over the summer, which could address the negative effects of summer break on poorer students.
- Creates more opportunities to provide remediation and enrichment activities for students year-round rather than waiting for the summer months.
- Cost savings for schools systems with respect to capital expenditures.
- More breaks could prevent staff burnout and also allows teachers to earn money working as substitutes during breaks.
- Initial implementation may be costly due to factors including preparing facility for year-round use.
- Schools are paying more in operational costs due to increased pay period (12 months rather than 9) for administrative staff and maintenance workers.
- Staff burnout: Particularly principals who manage buildings.
- Families may have problems with children on different schedules or if year-round schools are not offered district-wide.
- Lack of opportunities for older kids to find summer jobs.
The report stated that research into the effects of year-round schooling on student achievement was inconclusive due to lack of methodological rigor.
What do you think about year-round schools?
Would you send your child to one?