Year-round schooling has been implemented as a way to improve academics and as a solution to overcrowding. Basically, what happens is that students stay in school longer and take shorter breaks. Think of it this way: instead of a single summer break, a series of shorter breaks are implemented throughout the year.
Although this kind of program is already being implemented, parents are still raising concerns over it. But despite opposition to it, there are some who believe that year-round schooling is the best way to go. Is shortening vacation time really that detrimental to learning? Let’s look at the pros and cons:
List of Pros of Year-Round School
1. It keeps the learning process going with minimal disruption.
Advocates, including some educators, believe that a shorter break doesn’t result in a student losing much of what they have learned. Meaning, they still retain most of what was discussed to them in class when their vacation time is shorter. A study by Duke University found that students in year-round school programs had a slight advantage because they don’t forget their lessons during breaks.
2. It reduces burnout for both teacher and students.
“It’s been a long day” is a phrase you commonly hear. Yes, all kinds of work is tiring and so is being a student. It’s hard for some to cope with weeks upon weeks of continuous study which means they would benefit from short breaks in between. Some teachers even report that their students seem a lot more refreshed coming back from a mini break. The same could be said for educators.
3. It allows working parents to manage schedules.
A good year-round school is one that coordinates with parents’ lives and community activities, according to a study conducted by the College of Education of the Arizona State University. While not all parents are in agreement over being able to manage schedules better, there are some who find the mini breaks a blessing. Rather than pay for care for one long stretch during the summer, parents can break up the costs when their children are enrolled in a year-round school.
List of Cons of Year Round School
1. It burdens the parents.
While year-round schooling can definitely be considered a pro, there are some parents who find it hard to manage schedules. Although daycare centers can be a solution to caring problems, it’s not the same situation everywhere else; there are some places that are luckier than others. Some parents couldn’t also find a babysitter every time a break comes. As a result, children end up returning to an empty home.
2. It deprives children of time away from the classroom.
What is and what isn’t a reasonable time away from the classroom is another debate, but some find that mini breaks aren’t a way for students to really leave the classroom behind. After all, they will be seeing the same four walls after just a very short break.
3. It distracts from school improvement strategies.
Summer months means empty classrooms. As such, any changes an educational institution wants to do will be implemented during these months. However, a year-round school program would mean less time for improvements or added finances to speed up the process.