The traditional schedule for K-12 schools is 10 months on, two months off. This seems to suit everyone fine considering that’s the way things have been for what seems like forever. Increasingly, however, some schools have been moving to year-round schedules. The reasoning behind this change is rational, but many remain skeptical about the benefits of a spread out year. The rest of this article will objectively catalog the pros and cons of year-round schooling as the issue has been argued.
- Pros:
- Teachers dread when students return in the fall after a whole summer of not learning. Students lose what they’ve learned the previous year by the time they come back. The long summer break is eliminated for shorter, dispersed breaks throughout the year.
- In addition to students, teachers lose their motivation during the summer months away from school.
- Year-round school also means year-round after-school activities. Parents don’t have to worry about what their son or daughter is doing in their free time if the kids have somewhere to go.
- More students could actually attend the school because of track scheduling.
- Parents who work during the summer months can save money on child-care because their child would be safe in school.
- Having more regular breaks can drive students to work hard and then receive a break as a reward.
- Cons:
- Keeping the school maintained is more difficult if students are always around. The summer months are when most upgrades are performed.
- If one student attend a year-round school and their sibling attend a conventionally scheduled school, logistical problems could arise.
- Heating and cooling the building would be more costly if students are in school all year.
- More money will be needed for school lunches and extra staff.
- Summer programs will become nearly obsolete with students being in school during the times when those usually occur.
- Teachers may dislike losing their coveted summer break. Without an escape from unruly kids, teachers may burn out faster.
It’s clear that both sides of the issue include logical arguments. If year-round school becomes more universal, though, many of the cons will disappear over time.