This brief examines the research on community schools, with two primary emphases. First, it explores whether the 2015 federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) opens the possibility of investing in well-designed community schools to meet the educational needs of low-achieving students in high-poverty schools. And second, it provides support to…

With the number of students who are English language learners (ELLs) likely to double in coming years, it is more important than ever for schools across the U.S. to design and implement educational practices and strategies that best meet ELLs' learning needs, says the report, "Giving English Language Learners the Time They Need to…

The expansion of Pre-K in early childhood programs, both in the community and in schools, has the potential to build significant new alignment between the traditional K-12 education system and the preschool year. Most communities, however, have only scratched the surface of collaboration between public schools and community programs as…

Schools adopt extended year calendars for various reasons, including fuel conservation and improvement of educational opportunities for students. This article describes a program in Jefferson County (Colorado) established to alleviate overcrowding in a large suburban school district that failed to pass bond issues for funding new schools. (MLH)

The article reviews the legal bases for determining eligibility for extended school year services for handicapped students and suggests procedures for determining eligibility based on projected skill loss and empirical data. (DB)

The paper reviews court decisions mandating extended-year programs for students with severe and multiple handicaps for whom regression during the summer break threatens the development of independence and addresses considerations in developing such extended year programs. Guidelines center on eligibility, funding, program focus, program length,…

The paper elaborates on the position statement supporting Extended School Year (ESY) programs of the Council for Exceptional Children's Mental Retardation Division. Included are a review of ESY's background, a summary of litigation, and research on the regression/recoupment syndrome. Expanding ESY to mentally retarded students with critical needs…

Disputes the assertions made in "A Nation at Risk" that extended school days and years would be beneficial and that more stringent academic requirements should be adopted. Asserts that the National Commission on Excellence in Education fails to understand both foreign educational systems and American educational needs and values. (PGD)

The September-June calendar makes little sense instructionally or academically, as it was designed for the agricultural economy of the early 1800s. This article suggests that year-round education, originally a response to overcrowding, can benefit students' learning process, increase attendance, and reduce vandalism and instructional costs per…

For the Oxnard (California) School District--expected shortly to become the second fastest growing in the United States--year-round education is both cost and educationally effective. Three year-round program analyses, other cost benefits, and improvement in student achievement are outlined in terms of comparable data for traditional schools. (KS)

Survey responses of 50 State Directors of Special Education indicated wide discrepancies among states in how extended year services for severely handicapped students are provided. The article presents legal and educational bases in support of extended year programing and stresses the need for empirically based program guidelines. (Author/DB)

Poses six questions for administrators considering a year-round, multitrack school schedule. Discusses probable constraints concerning implementation levels, class organization, staff preparation, and impact on plant maintenance, summer school programs, and community relations. Classroom sharing and summer school present special difficulties;…

In an essay honoring "The American School Board Journal's" centennial, Lee Iacocca states that marketing a longer school year as necessary for children to be able to compete in the world might change public opinion. (MLF)

Some children with disabilities suffer losses of social, behavioral, communication, or academic skills during breaks in instruction and may need an extended school year (ESY) program in order to ensure that they receive the "appropriate public education" that is federally mandated. This guide addresses the legal basis for ESY programs, court…

This review of the legal issues concerning eligibility for extended school year services for children with severe disabilities addresses both statutory and case law, as well as practical guidelines to help educators comply with federal statutes, especially the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of…