Approximately 600 schools nationwide began the 1989-90 school year on a 12-month calendar, a 20 percent increase over last year. The traditional calendar was designed for an agrarian society and is no longer needed. Year-round schools offer more continuous learning and less learning loss during the summer months. (MLF)

A combination class is formed when students from two adjacent grades are placed in one classroom under the supervision of one teacher. Two recent studies indicate that combination classes may contribute to lower student achievement in multitrack year-round schools. (eight references) (MLF)

To assess thinking of parents on year-round education, survey forms were sent to 398 households with children enrolled in elementary school. With 236 of questionnaires returned, only 10 percent favored adopting such a plan whereas 83 percent preferred staying with traditional schedules. Lists arguments in favor and arguments opposed along with…

Findings from a study of San Diego (California) elementary schools indicate that students in year-round schools outperformed those in traditional schools in the degree of achievement in reading, language, and math test scores. (MLF)

Analyzes responses of 300 parents of children educated in a district enrolling 36% of its elementary students in a multitrack year-round school. Neither calendar was perceived as perfect; parents whose children attend year-round schools had difficulties scheduling family activities. However, these problems do not necessarily detract from parents'…

The Wake County (North Carolina) Public School System currently operates 7 year-round schools on a 45-15 day schedule. Six schools with voluntary magnet enrollment operate on a multitrack system that has 75% of the students in school, while 25% are on break. A program review showed that multitrack schools are as effective as traditional schools.…

Investigates the effect of year-round education on teacher motivation at a Title I elementary school in Fairfax County, Virginia. Finds that 12 teachers in study report less burnout and increased motivation. Consequently they are more likely to remain in the teaching profession for the next several years or longer. (Contains 16 references.) (PKP)

Gardendale (Florida) Elementary Magnet School is a single-track, year-round elementary school with a four-theme magnet program, actually four magnet schools under one roof. There are schools of performing arts, math and science, arts and cultures, and microsociety. Success hinges on team leadership, strategic planning, and an active governance…

Part of the Virginia Beach year-round school program evaluation, this final report contains a detailed analysis of parental attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions. The data leads to the following conclusions: a majority (53.3 percent) of parents are dubious or negative toward the 45-15 pilot project; a slight majority of parents in the pilot schools…

A Florida school district is changing people's attitudes toward year-round schools. Experience at one elementary school indicates that students are retaining more of what they learn because their education is not interrupted by a long summer break. (MLF)

Compares student academic and nonacademic outcomes for year-round (YR) and traditional-calendar schools in a metropolitan school district with 36% of its elementary students in YR schools. Interviews with teachers and administrators in six schools suggest reasons for the better academic achievement in YR schools. (SLD)

Summarizes a study of six matched year-round and traditional-calendar elementary schools in a West Coast district. After 4 years, the year-round programs produced acceptable academic growth in students, compared to controls. Gains were higher for math than reading and slowed after several years. (Contains 31 references.) (MLH)

The purpose of the Year-Round Education (YRE) Evaluation Project is to provide formative evaluation information to Orange County (Florida) Public Schools decision-makers about the year-round education schedule piloted in three elementary schools. Employing YRE means reorganizing the traditional school calendar into shorter instructional sessions…

The paper describes the summer programs offered by Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, a year-round day school for elementary level hearing impaired students in Washington, D.C. The programs are explained to be based on a three-point philosophy: (1) summer programs should be different from those of the rest of the year; (2) summer programs…

This report summarizes the planning, preparation, and implementation efforts to operate a 45-15 pilot program in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This year-round schools project, undertaken in November 1971, required 18 months of planning. Electing to use a cycled-attendance plan, the program was established in selected schools to ascertain its…