Argues that the September-June school calendar, based on economic rather than educational considerations, has outlived its usefulness. Recommends designing a less disruptive schedule to suit children's continuous learning needs, presents several year-round options, and summarizes the benefits of uninterrupted learning. (MLH)

Practical policy issues concerning extended year programs for severely handicapped students include aspects of eligibility criteria as stipulated by the courts and aspects of program development (continuity of quality programming, generalization and maintenance, and nonhandicapped peer involvement). (CL)

This paper examines the construction of time in education, emphasizing the development of the 180-day school year. A 1991 study showed that schools throughout the United States follow a distinctive time pattern that the report labeled dysfunctional. The norm for required attendance is 180 school days, stretching across a school year that begins in…

Research on the relationship of instructional time and achievement of handicapped students is reviewed, and implications are considered for policy matters (including the effects of increasing the school calendar length and lengthening the school day and the impact of service delivery systems selected for handicapped students). (CL)

This article highlights the extended-day program adopted by many schools. With so much material being crammed into the curriculum--and with so much time during the school day being devoted to the matter of test preparation--many schools have been looking at the possibility of extending the school day. Several schools are experimenting with longer…

In this article, the author discusses the controversial decision of the school board from the Broward County, Florida to start the school year on August 9. School boards across the country that are grappling with the idea of starting school earlier in the year are increasingly running up against strong opposition from parents. In many districts,…

The OEYP state-funded program provides extended learning for students who are at risk of academic failure. This report summarizes Austin Independent School District's OEYP activities during 2008-2009.

The idea of converting to year-round education (YRE) comes from different sources, such as communities concerned about idle youth and taxpayer groups upset about empty buildings during the summer. The most prevalent reasons are overcrowded schools and unavailable construction funds, due to failed school bond proposals or refusal to raise taxes.…

Year-round schools are not a new phenomenon in American education. During the 19th century, cities such as Chicago, Boston, Washington, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Detroit held school sessions of 48 or more weeks per year. The traditional calendar is a misnomer; it came about primarily as a compromise between urban and rural legislators. Renewed…

This presentation describes the year-round school operation of the Chula Vista City School District in California. Chula Vista adopted the 45-15 year-round plan to help ease a shortage of classroom space while maintaining a quality program for children. Under the plan, each pupil attends school for about nine weeks and then has vacation for three…

This paper presents a model of a successful student scheduling pattern for a 45-15 year-round middle school (grades 6-8). The model allows for scheduling 100 percent of resource lab teaching time for all the student population in attendance at any one time, and formulates a house design and team teaching structure that facilitates smooth ingress…

This bibliography lists, describes, and identifies 153 sources of pertinent information about extended school year programs. The material is organized into (1) books, pamphlets, articles, and reports; (2) theses and abstracts; and (3) filmstrips and bibliographies. Those items available through the ERIC system are so indicated. (Author/MLF)

This document contains statements by experts in the field of year-round schools and excerpts from publications dealing with various plans for year-round schools. The statements and publications discuss (1) the Valley View 45-15 continuous school year plan, (2) the Jefferson County, Kentucky, elective quarter plan, (3) various four quarter school…