Ample evidence documents rising student obesity in summer months and falling student obesity during the school year. One theory for this pattern is that out-of-school days lack some of the structure and health-promoting behaviors that schools provide. Given this observed seasonal pattern, a natural question is whether there is room for policies…

Eight high schools in three California school districts are on multitrack year-round schedules. Interviews with personnel from these schools and from two districts considering a year-round schedule highlight the effect of year-round schedules on student learning, management issues, extracurricular activities, and school culture. (MLF)

BASED ON EMPIRICAL DATA ACCUMULATED FROM TWELVE JUNIOR COLLEGES UNDER THE 2-SEMESTER CALENDAR, THE MODEL DEVELOPED IN THIS STUDY CAN BE USEFUL IN PREDICTING CHANGES IN PLANT USE UNDER THE 4-QUARTER CALENDAR. THIS CALENDAR REVISION HAS FOUR CONSTRAINTS--(1) THE SENIOR INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE HAVE ADOPTED IT, (2) THE STUDENT'S CHOICE OF QUARTER IN…

The idea of converting to year-round education (YRE) comes from different sources, such as communities concerned about idle youth and taxpayer groups upset about empty buildings during the summer. The most prevalent reasons are overcrowded schools and unavailable construction funds, due to failed school bond proposals or refusal to raise taxes.…

This presentation describes the year-round school operation of the Chula Vista City School District in California. Chula Vista adopted the 45-15 year-round plan to help ease a shortage of classroom space while maintaining a quality program for children. Under the plan, each pupil attends school for about nine weeks and then has vacation for three…

A followup study surveyed 79 principals of year-round, multitrack California elementary schools. YRE principal persistence between 1993 and 1998 was lower than that of counterparts in traditional-schedule schools. YRE schools need increased administrative support; their principals need stress management strategies. (Contains 14 references.) (MLH)

The September-June calendar makes little sense instructionally or academically, as it was designed for the agricultural economy of the early 1800s. This article suggests that year-round education, originally a response to overcrowding, can benefit students' learning process, increase attendance, and reduce vandalism and instructional costs per…

Presents strategies for solving 13 common personnel problems that frequently emerge with the implementation of year-round schools. Issues focus on staffing and working conditions. (MLF)

Findings of a study that explored differences in the degree and type of burnout experienced by California elementary school principals are presented in this paper. Data were derived from a survey that was mailed to a stratified random sample of 200 California elementary principals--100 from year-round and 100 from traditional-calendar schools.…

Poses six questions for administrators considering a year-round, multitrack school schedule. Discusses probable constraints concerning implementation levels, class organization, staff preparation, and impact on plant maintenance, summer school programs, and community relations. Classroom sharing and summer school present special difficulties;…

The 45-15 plan in this California school district is educating four youngsters in a space designed for three with no overcrowding, is eliminating double sessions, and is relieving taxpayers of the immediate need to build more schools by making fuller use of schools that already exist. (Author)

Adopting a year-round education schedule can be a traumatic experience in many school communities. A three-part process can help districts implement year-round education: (1) involve as many participants as possible; (2) identify the pros and cons of each factor; and (3) develop a survey instrument to weigh all of the issues. (MLF)

A comprehensive review of research and professional literature on the development of year-round education in the United States is presented in this synthesis, with a focus on policy implementation issues in California. The first part presents an overview of year-round schooling and descriptions of California legislative mandates. Next, a…

This book describes the year-round school program of Chula Vista City School District. It begins with a discussion of the planning that occurred prior to the implementation of the program that includes descriptions of the problem, the legislation needed, and school relations with teachers and parents. The second section examines the first year of…