By Dr. Marciene Mattleman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Year-round schools are not new and lately there’s been a surge.
READ MORE: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney Says He'll Be Happy When He's Not Mayor Following Fourth Of July ShootingCurrently year-round calendars account for 4.1% of public schools and 11% are charters. Most have been attempts to solve overcrowding. Recently there have been grant programs in Virginia and Michigan for implementation.
In year-round schools, kids attend the same number of days as those in traditional schools, have two or three mini-vacations and, by not having the long summer off, can avoid summer learning loss. No longer do they use the 100-year-old model.
READ MORE: Sources: Authorities Investigating Whether 2 Police Officers Struck By Stray Bullets On Ben Franklin ParkwayUS Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois has introduced legislation that will promote year-round pilots in underperforming schools mostly serving low-income families.
A 2011 study at Simpson College in Iowa showed statistically significant results in improving achievement scores; but most studies found little differences – some only modestly positive.
Testimony from principals has been encouraging; but parents don’t like family schedule disruption.
MORE NEWS: Kyle Schwarber Homers Twice In Phillies' 11-0 Romp Past NationalsLearn more in Education Week.
