No other innovation in education in the United States has as much potential for improving education and reducing costs as the year-round operation of schools. Contrary to popular perception, the 9-month school calendar is not deeply imbedded in America's education system; throughout American history, the school calendar has responded to the evolving needs of the nation. The phenomenal changes in the past century in transportation, communication, and information technology have propelled this country beyond our public school system, which has remained in an "inertia of tradition" for the last 75 years. While there is ample reason to support a lengthened school year, it must be understood that our states generally are not funding education adequately for the days we presently have. But since single-track year-round education programs provide the typical 180-day instructional year with three or four shorter vacation periods instead of a 3-month summer vacation, operational casts should not significantly exceed those required for the traditional school year. Further, a multitrack continuous education calendar has the potential for a seating capacity increase of 25 to 50 percent; and in general, the greater the increase in capacity usage (beyond the maximum permitted by the traditional year calendar), the more potential there is for cost savings. (KM)