The summer slide may seem like a cliché term. Yet, it doesn’t refer to afternoons at the park, cooling off in the pool—or recrea
tional activities at all! The summer slide refers to a fall in academic performance. This decline is the result of summer break. This is one reason that many advocates support year-round education. When following a year-round schedule, many students attend 45 instructional days. Then, they have 15 days off. This process decreases absences while promoting academic achievement and capitalizing on schools’ resources. Lynch (a blogger for EdWeek) writes: “A long-time thorn in the side of K-12 educators has been the ‘summer slide’ or the theory that knowledge is lost when students get so much time off from academic pursuits” (2013). Therefore, many schools are changing their schedules. NEA Today notes that year-round schools have increased by 26% since 2007. Yes, this change takes some getting used to. Still, schools in Charlotte, Portland, and parts of Michigan are seeing positive benefits. One teacher notes that parents like the altered schedules a lot, even though “there is no concrete proof that students improve academically” (NEA). Even without concrete academic improvements, many administrators are seeing improved attendance.
Many people believe that year-round schooling prevents burnout. Frequent breaks allow for more rest. Pearson (2013) writes: “Both teachers and students might feel less burnout when they get more extended time off throughout the year.” At the same time, it should be noted that other students could feel overwhelmed by the constant stop and start cycle associated with year-round schooling. Nonetheless, supporters hold firm to the belief that academic achievement occurs when students attend a year-round school program.
Academic achievement is one of the main motivators for choosing a year-round calendar. Students have better access to remedial services. The California Department of Education has seen success in providing extended services to their students. Tutoring services would have been unavailable during a traditional calendar. By maximizing schools’ resources, students are better served.
In brief, many people claim that a year-round calendar allows school grounds to be used more effectively. The buildings are not sitting empty for months at a time. Equally important, “Families’ budgets might benefit from the reduced costs associated with being able to travel in off-season times” (Pearson). Clearly, more use can be better.
In conclusion, a year-round calendar is a promising way to add more opportunities. The benefits are clear. Students can retain vital skills that will improve their academic journeys.
