Summarizes a study examining whether year-round schooling, compared to a traditional school-year schedule, would affect the achievement and attendance of a group of at-risk Texas elementary students. There was little consistency between various groups' perceptions and actual student outcomes. There was no significant difference favoring year-round…

Outlines the economic and academic advantages and disadvantages of year-round college schedules. Economic factors include cost savings, rising enrollments, quicker graduation due to accelerated programming, higher annual costs, administrative problems, higher tuition, and barriers to student seasonal employment. Academic factors include continuous…

Moving from a traditional to a balanced, year-round calendar is as much a philosophical as a schedule change. A balanced calendar, with a variety of intersession activities providing opportunities for advancement and enrichment, can help facilitate student learning and minimize time spent reviewing previously learned subject matter. (MLH)

Twenty-five percent of California's elementary schoolchildren attend schools operating on nontraditional, staggered, overlapping attendance calendars collectively referred to as multitrack year-round education (MT-YRE). This case study reveals substantial differences in the characteristics of students and teachers across the four attendance tracks…

Describes a system that generates alternative student assignment plans for the year-round school, enabling the selection of the best school assignment and tract-balancing plan for a district. (Author/JM)

Parents and PTA members are actively involved at every level at the Applied Learning Academy in Fort Worth, Texas. This year-round public middle school is driven by applied learning. Parents are involved in school planning and design and actively participate in student assessments. (SM)

Presents various modifications to the traditional school day and year such as extending the school day, increasing the number of instructional days, or rescheduling school breaks throughout the year. Provides economic, instructional, and lifestyle implications. Also addresses such issues as teachers' professional development, air-conditioning,…

Examines the politics of year-round education in Brownfield, California, in the 1970s. Findings showed that Mexican Americans challenged the proposed 45-15 plan because they were excluded from the decision-making process and because the plan conflicted with migrant workers' employment patterns. Formal mechanisms must be activated to guard all…

Discusses the reasons why schools choose year-round multi-track (YRMT) scheduling. Asserts that YRMT scheduling seriously affects music teachers since they spend less time with the students and must plan in smaller increments. Provides the results from a survey where music teachers in Florida (Orange County) commented on their experiences with…

Urges implementation of a 48-week school year offering an optional fourth quarter that could be used for remediation or enrichment. Describes the impact of such a year on students, on parents' schedules, on teachers' salaries and schedules, and on administration. Considers factors affecting public acceptance of such a change. (PGD)

Summarizes research examining the potential impact of year-round schooling on organized camping, and research on the developmental needs of children ages 8-11. Implications for camp include stressing the educational value of camp, adjusting camp schedules to accommodate year-round schooling, educating camp staff on child development, and including…

A Utah school district, faced with a legislative freeze on new-school construction, has implemented an aggressive and diverse program to accommodate increasing enrollment. The strategy relies on alternative scheduling, with year-round schools and an eight-period modified schedule; alternative staffing patterns; and use of capital funds for…

Explores district leaders' roles in implementing a year-round schooling reform. Examines experiences of four Florida districts, stressing social, political, and fiscal contexts. Leaders promote innovation by acting humanely and openly, and by eschewing unfulfillable promises. Creating widespread support, being flexible, and crafting a climate for…

Studied the site-based design and implementation of a modified year-round calendar in two Ontario, Canada, elementary schools. These case studies show the importance of choice and voice in the change process. Interviews with a superintendent, the 2 principals, 31teachers, and a number of parents show the large impact a small structural change may…

Three elementary schools with very different characteristics extended their school years to approximately 223 days, with concomitant changes in funding and salaries. All three demonstrated increases in academic achievement, parent and teacher satisfaction, and cost-effective use of facilities. Implications for reform and year-round schooling are…