Do you think that year round school is better than a traditional schedule

Do you think that year round school is better than a traditional schedule?
My kids are getting ready to go back to school next week after having 11 weeks off. We were on a year round schedule until two years ago when we switched to traditional. Personally, I liked year round because the kids seemed to stay in "learning mode" better when the max time they were off was six weeks. After speaking to a few teachers they have implied that they spend the first weeks of school just reviewing everything from the last year and some of the children come back to school after 11 weeks, never having picked up a book. Do you think that year round school or traditional schedule is better for educating?
Primary & Secondary Education - 5 Answers - 2007-08-07 15:40:49

Best Answer
I agree! Year round is much better. I'd like to see us go to a trimester system that would have 1 month off in the summer and a 2 week break between each trimester for the students and one for the teacher. The teachers would remain for the first week off to accomplish all the stuff they don't have time to do during the regular day (training, grades, in-service, etc.). This would give one extra week -- the middle trimester would be longer but time off for Christmas and Thanksgiving, both of which would fall in that time frame, would take care of that. I also feel that teachers should be on a 12 month contract and paid accordingly, with two weeks of that summer break used for advanced skill training in their fields. I don't feel a total of one month vacation is unreasonable -- many of our civil service employees receive that anyway (military, postal, etc.).

All Answers
Answer 1
As a teacher, I can say without doubt, the year round school is great. You're right, in a traditional yr we spend most of September just reviewing. What a waste! With all yr round, the kids are fresher, the teachers are also fresher do to the scheduled breaks. It's a win, win situation.
2007-08-07 15:45:57

Answer 2
Yes year round school definetly works. Consider all the countries that utilize this method, like Japan for instance. Their children are much more advanced in the sciences and mathematics, they dont have as much time to get involved with gangs etc.... And bring back corporal punishment!
2007-08-07 15:51:39

Answer 3
I'll be starting high school soon and personally I'd love to have year round schooling. Summer vaction is good for catching up on sleep but it's pretty boring otherwise. Not to mention I forget a lot of what I already learned during the summer....
2007-08-07 15:53:35

Answer 4
year round school is better!!
2007-08-07 16:15:17