Costs outweigh benefits as year-round schooling prompts full time headaches
As summer approaches, the excitement of three months without any schoolwork beckons. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for many students across the country, as those who partake in year-round school don’t get to enjoy a summer free of education. Though year-round schooling has many benefits for student learning, it may lack in providing skills students need for the real world.
Summer provides children with a much needed opportunity for relaxation, quality time with family and friends, and personal growth in general, something students can’t experience with constant schooling. Having a three month break offers a chance to step away from rigorous academic studies, allowing teens to explore other interests that may benefit them.
Furthermore, summer break provides valuable family time which strengthens the bonds of loved ones as they are restricted from doing so during the school year. Traveling, community service, internships, and more are different ways that students are able to grow without school clouding their brains.
Although many assume that year-round schooling fills the students’ year with only academics and school days, districts schedule numerous breaks strategically placed to provide time to recharge and pursue different interests. Instead of having a three-month-long summer vacation, many year-long schools have a month-long winter/spring break with the addition of long breaks throughout the year. By spreading out this vacation time, students can avoid burnout and maintain their enthusiasm for learning. Though they don’t gain a three-month-long vacation, many breaks throughout the year provide ample opportunities to achieve the same satisfaction and enjoyment.
Additionally, year round schooling has many advantages for education and certainly prioritizes the learning of students. It minimizes the amount of learning loss that occurs during summer break, known as the “summer slide”. With shorter but more frequent breaks, students have less time to forget material and can simply jump back in the content or skill where they left off. This consistent schedule leads to better retention as well as smooth transitions for students between different grade levels. The longer school year can also allow for teachers to get to know students better, therefore creating a more personalized learning environment. It overall shows that the knowledge of students in year long schooling is increased.
The main aspect of year-round schooling that seems appealing to many is the idea that learning can continue forward without an interruption or distraction. However, education is a human industry, and the summer break allows for teachers to have enough time to prepare for the upcoming school year. With this time off, teachers are more likely to ensure high-quality development for their students compared to being somewhat rushed in the year-to-year transition during year-round schooling.
While the amount of retention loss is reduced with year round schooling, the cost to run it isn’t. Having classes run for the entire year also means that all the different facilities are extended, increasing the cost. Essentials such as heating, cooling, lunch room service, custodians, and more add to the cost significantly and can be a huge stressor for the district.
Though year-round school has the concept of being a system for continuous and beneficial learning for students, the negative effects seem to prevent it from being as efficient as it intends. Ultimately, it’s unnecessary for schools to restructure their typical nine-month schedule just to try and live up to an over-glorified academic calendar.
by Haniya Mecci
Published May 20 2024
Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue VIII