Educational provisions enacted at the national level impact states by requiring a priority on improving the academic performance of students. Leaders in educational settings strive to implement changes that will aid in closing achievement gaps and increase academic achievement. In Texas, the academic level of performance on the reading and…

The impact of class time lengths on student achievement is a complex issue with multiple extraneous factors and without definitive answers. A major theme across many of the studies reviewed is that the amount of instructional time is not so important as how that time is spent. Key points include: (1) The commonly held conception that students in…

This study was designed to investigate the effects of the year-round calendar on student performance in Texas middle schools as measured by achievement on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. In the State of Texas, 15 schools served students in grades six through eight using the year-round calendar in 2009-2010. The 15…

The purpose of this study was to analyze student academic performance data from year-round calendar high schools across the United States in comparison to those of traditional calendar high schools within the same states. This study sought to determine if the mean passing scores of students for the last three academic years in four important…

Describes four school districts that operate year-round schools: Socorro Independent School District, Texas; Valley View School District, Romeoville, Illinois; Murrieta Valley Unified School near San Diego, California; and Rock Island-Milan School District in northwestern Illinois. Briefly describes three tracks of year-round education:…

This package is intended to provide Texas educators with practical information on the projected quarter system operation in Texas schools. Included is a copy of the law (H.B.1078) that mandates institution of the quarter plan along with explanations of what changes are and are not necessary in order to comply with the law. Also included is…

The author details the steps involved in the adoption of a trimester program at a Texas junior high school. The trimester schedule divides the regular school year into three equal 60 day periods. The option of a summer quarter can be added as the need arises. Under the plan, school periods are 70 minutes long in the junior high school and 80…

This study describes the major forms of year-round education, evaluates their potential costs and educational benefits (including effects on student academic achievement, learning retention, socialization, and employability), and assesses such programs' feasibility as to legal requirements and effects on school personnel and the larger community.…

This survey, the eighth in a series of biannual surveys of demographic information related to Texas public school teachers, had 361 respondents. Data indicate that the average teacher in Texas is a 43-year-old female, making a $30,395 salary, is married with a working spouse, has a bachelor's degree, is not the breadwinner, teaches elementary…

For each area mentioned, this booklet has a brief description of the desired condition, the present condition, and the recommended legislation. The areas considered include bilingual education, crime prevention, drug education, financing of regional education service centers, and textbook adoption. (Author/IRT)