A life sciences undergraduate apprenticeship initiative was run during the vacations at a South African university. In particular, the initiative aimed to increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Annually 12-18 undergraduate biology students were apprenticed to various institutions during the January and July vacations from…

Background: The emergence of a participatory culture, brought about mainly by the use of Web2.0 technology, is challenging us to reconsider aspects of teaching and learning. Adapting the learning-as-digital-game-building approach, this paper explores how new educational practices can help students build skills for the 21st century. Purpose: This…

The most commonly used calendar cycles are described in this paper, with a focus on the advantages and disadvantages of each. Calendar options include the following plans: 45-15 block and staggered, flexible 45-15, 60-20 block and staggered, 90-30 staggered, Concept 6, 60-15, Concept 8, trimester, quinmester, Concept 16, Concept 12, multiple…

Year-round education (YRE) has been brought increasingly to the forefront of the debate over educational reform. Although the results of year-round school studies are mixed, three specific elements are evident in successful programs--reduced curriculum review, increased instructional time, and improved student outcomes. This report introduces the…

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)

This report by Maine's Task Force on Year-Round Education to the State Board of Education explores the feasibility of changing the school calendar--to distribute instructional time over more calendar months in order to enhance student learning. The new schedule could reduce teacher and student absenteeism, limit the loss of learning during summer…

A study examining the effects of alternative school calendars surveyed 254 principals and teachers from predominantly rural schools in Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee. Results revealed strong support for a calendar that rescheduled rather than added school days and that reduced summer vacation. Advantages included academic improvement, extra…

Advantages and examples of year-round education are discussed in this publication. Advantages include instructional benefits, relief from overcrowding, savings on operational and capital costs, increased teacher flexibility, improved attendance, and reduced vandalism. Guidelines for implementation, calendar design, and descriptions of various…

This document describes studies and other evidence supporting year-round education (YRE) in elementary and secondary schools. Included are six newspaper and journal clippings describing the benefits of YRE schools. The document also quotes from test and survey results that indicate that students who are enrolled in YRE programs learn and retain…

The Austin Independent School District (AISD) (Texas) has been involved in year-round education for 5 years. In 1995-96, 11 elementary schools and 1 middle school had adopted the year-round plan. In all schools, the plan is a single-track plan, so that all students and all teachers have the same schedule, in which students are in school for…