[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ummer. Three months of sunshine, sitting by the refreshingly blue pool, and eating melting chocolate ice cream on hot summer days. The inevitable stress of school disappearing with the cold weather. No more dreadfully long seven-hour school days followed by hours of seemingly pointless homework. Waking up to the delightful sound of birds chirping outside the window, rather than the repetitive beep of the alarm clock. Nothing beats a summer campfire after a well-spent day on the lake with family and friends. Three months out of the year that a bright smile never seems to leave the face. The relaxing, well-deserved break that students count down the days with excitement.

But… instead of having your summer fun, you’re sitting in the back of the humid classroom in the middle of late July.

Overall, year-round schools do not benefit the students, staff and school, or the community. 

Education Frustration: The Effects on Students

School is stressful enough for students the nine months of the year that they attend. Taking away the three-month break that students look forward to, is not going to benefit the students in the long run. According to the article, “The Year-Round School Debate,” Mary Brown explains how there is no actual research that shows that test scores increase from school year long. Whether it is a three-month break or a two-week break, the teachers have to review the material anyways since it has most likely already left your short-term memory. Looking at it from an opposing view on The Edvocate, the article states, “[I]it can take anywhere from 8 to 13 weeks at the beginning of every school year for teachers to get their students back up to speed and ready to learn the new grade’s material.” With year-round schooling, there must be days put aside for reviewing materials after every small break. With all those days and breaks combined, it adds up to be a lot more days of review than the traditional one week of review at the beginning of the school year.

The main goal of year-round schooling is to increase the academic scores and levels of students, but it turns out that the results are not what many had hoped for. Education specialist Rebecca R. Skinner writes in the article, “Year-Round Schools: In Brief,” about a study dealing with the effects of the outcome and growth of academic scores. This study focused on year-round schools in California and “found that year-round schools failed to affect either measure”. The same article says that year-round schooling for the students that are looking for summer jobs is a negative and will lead to a lack of opportunities. Many also argue that summer jobs the extracurricular activities and sports in the summer are often not an option if they are already spending their summer inside a classroom. The National Education Association argues that year-round schooling is a more efficient use of the school since the school is not left empty over the extended summer break. This is where children of all ages participate in clubs, sports, summer school, and other extra-curricular activities. If school is year-round, there is no time for children to participate in these activities.

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 More Time Comes with More Costs

Not only does year-round schooling take away the students break, “Year-Round Schools: In Brief”  states that the costs for year-round schooling may increase. This is because of the prices for preparing facility, 12-month teaching contracts, and paying staff year round. With the rising expenses comes a rise in taxes for the community. 

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””][perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]With all those days and breaks combined, it adds up to be a lot more days of review than the traditional one week of review at the beginning of the school year.[/perfectpullquote]

Boyd F. Jensen writes in the Deseret News saying, “According to the National Climatic Data Center, it’s more than 300 times more expensive to cool schools in August than October and March — the months when year-round schools are closed for half the month.” If the student’s test scores and growth are not improving then why spend more on what is not necessary?

Staff Setbacks

The students are not the only people who enjoy and value their summer break. Teachers and staff have that time off as well. Many of them are able to spend the summer with their own kids. “Year-Round Schools: In Brief” warns that without the three-month break, there may be an increase of teacher burnouts, especially principals since they are now running a building with children in it year round. Over the summer there are often big projects that take place in the school while everyone is on break. If the kids are only out of the school for small amounts of time, it becomes difficult to plan these maintenance repairs. Year-round schools typically have school for 45 days and then get a 15-day break. It’s crazy to think that some students and teachers are finishing and starting a new school year within 15 days. That’s about a half of a month, where traditionally most students are used to a three-month break before advancing to the next grade level.

Do you think 15 days is enough time to mentally switch to a new grade, new classes, and possibly even a new school?

[perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It’s crazy to think that some students and teachers are finishing and starting a new school year within 15 days. [/perfectpullquote] Cathryn Vandewater writes in the article “Year-Round School Pros and Cons” that many teachers go back to school during the summer months to get a higher degree such as a bachelor or masters degree. With the year-round schedule, it will become more difficult and the process will be complicated. They will have to go through the process of finding an alternate form of training and education which will take more time and money.

Teachers with Kids of Their Own

What may seem like a small or insignificant change can affect so many different things. Sindhu Nair with the article “Should American Schools Go Year Round?” says, “Mothers who teach could no longer count on sharing a summer/ break schedule that would save money on childcare.” Many mothers and teachers depend on the three months, not only for a break from teaching, but as an opportunity to save money and spend time with their kids attending school or childcare.

Image from Pixabay

The Community and Families

In Sindhu Nair’s article “Should American Schools Go Year Round?” she points out that it will be difficult for the families that depend on the additional income of older students summer jobs. Many families count on the paychecks to make ends meet and save up for college. During this time they are also learning responsibility and how to wisely save and spend their money. In the same article, she also states logistical concerns which include families having kids in different schools and having to navigate through different schedules. They may struggle with setting up vacations, child care, and their work schedules. Visiting family that does not live nearby can also present itself as another issue that is important to consider.

Overall Conclusion

With all things in consideration and no compelling data to prove anything overarchingly positive, year-round schooling is not beneficial. It negatively affects many people in and out of the school. It is not worth it to change these people’s lifestyles over a complete school schedule change for results that so far, are not positive or have no change at all. Instead of attempting to alter the school calendars, it is important to focus on “effective teaching and parent involvement.” Although many believe year-round schooling is helpful, it negatively affects people more than it simplifies and benefits the students, teachers, and community.

Featured Image: Image by Aleks from Pexels