Should Schools be Going Year-Round?
Year-round schooling is becoming more popular throughout the United States. Some, more so now that Covid numbers are declining, and schools are reopening. Many students have lost a solid year of academic growth and stability this past school year. Some states are entertaining the idea of scheduling weeks or months of school and allow students periodic breaks throughout the year. There are many pros and cons on this subject, which side are you on?
Many students and teachers enjoy year-round schooling as it always gives them something to do. Even though they are in school year-round, they really love their breaks.
There are many reasons why you might like year-round schooling.
Both students and teachers may benefit from attending school year-round because they will be given several “mini” breaks throughout the school year. These breaks may help with alleviating classroom stress, allow more time to prepare for mandatory testing and some may benefit overall for their mental health. These “mini” breaks would allow for spring and winter break to be spread out over a longer period of time. Two to three-week breaks could be given between each semester instead of being away from school for 12 weeks in the summer. Students who attend year-round schooling would attend school for the same number of days as students on a regular school schedule. The main difference would be that students attending year-round would not be away from school for such a long period of time.
The downfall to year-round teaching is that it will cost schools more money to open and operate during the summer months. Additional work would be put on teachers and administrators to create schedules and lesson plans. Schools could experience budget and staffing issues if the school year was extended. It would cost more money for schools to open and run all year around. The cost of school maintenance would have to be factored in. Air conditioning, electricity, and water bills would increase with year-round schooling. Also, paying for security may increase cost. In addition to this, students would not have summer sports or camps during the summer months.
Another benefit of year-round schooling is to help families who cannot afford summer camps, daycare, or family vacations during the long summer break. Many families experience financial hardships during a long summer because they have to work and they don’t have anyone to watch their children. Year-round teaching may help students retain what they learn because of the shorter breaks they would be given. Students tend to forget the information they learn during the long summer break.
On the other hand, some families may find year-round school not a good idea. Some parents look forward to a long summer break to allow for family vacations, or to allow children to visit family members out of town for a long period of time. Some parents look forward to their children participating in summer sports programs or sleep away camps. Some high school students look forward to summer breaks to allow them to work and earn money to help pay for college. Also, high school students need time to earn volunteer service hours as a mandatory graduation requirement. These are some of the challenges students would face with year-round schooling.
In year-round schooling, there tends to be a more structured environment. Students may experience a more positive attitude towards learning and have a stronger bond with their teachers. Having a stronger relationship may form trust between the students and teachers. This may help lower a student’s stress and anxiety level.
When interviewing an anonymous professional, he said “Year-round schooling is not a good idea because students and teachers need time off in the summer. Kids need time to be kids and not focus on school.” He believes that kids and teachers need a mental break from the day-to-day routine of school.
Personally, I feel that year-round schooling is a good idea. I like the idea of having several breaks throughout the school year rather than a long summer break. I feel that I would be able to retain what I learned better with shorter breaks. Some may think differently about year-round schooling, but I say we should give it a shot and see how it works out.
Although the anonymous professional I interviewed didn’t like the idea of year-round school, other teaching professionals may have a different outlook and opinion on this topic. They may like the idea of mini breaks throughout the year and forming stronger bonds with their students.
