Describes four school districts that operate year-round schools: Socorro Independent School District, Texas; Valley View School District, Romeoville, Illinois; Murrieta Valley Unified School near San Diego, California; and Rock Island-Milan School District in northwestern Illinois. Briefly describes three tracks of year-round education:…

Profiles some principals of year-round schools. One calls the experience a merry-go-round with no starting or ending. Even principals who strongly endorse the concept say there is no time for long-term planning. Research results on benefits to students and cost savings are also mixed. Year-round schools are gaining wide acceptance, particularly in…

Sweetwater High School's adoption of a year-round schedule was not related to overcrowding, but was designed to serve the needs of Chula Vista (California) schools' highly transient, bilingual population. Despite some problems with scheduling meetings and student teacher visits, the program seemed to deliver instruction effectively. (MLH)

A Yuma (Arizona) elementary school district discovered that year-round schooling is doable, if the community is ready. Before proceeding, superintendents should do their homework, involve the community, form a support group to solidify acceptance, rally colleagues, develop a multiyear implementation plan, collect data on issues raised in the…

Since 1991, the National Education Commission on Time and Learning has been examining the quality and adequacy of student learning time. Innovations being considered address provision of additional learning opportunities, children's well-being, employee productivity concerns, and efficient use of school facilities. Promising practices include the…