Anyone up for year-round school?

This morning I read an opinion article in the Washington Post that was written by Sen. Michael Bennett of Colorado. He is a former superintendent and his topic was on ways to change NCLB and gave some statistics on our current education system.

While reading his opinion it got me thinking about ways that we may change our current system to better suit our current society not just keep the status quo of days gone by.

We all know that our current 10 month school year was originally set up because of our past agrarian ways. Students needed to help in the fields throughout the summer so they simply couldn't attend school regularly so we set up our summer break. Since I don't remember the last time I had a student gone for this reason in May or August, why do we continue to use this system.

One of the changes Bennett wants to see is better recruitment and retaining of teachers. Giving more incentives to get some of the best and brightest to come into the educational field. I wholeheartedly agree!

The topic of year-round school might have an impact on teachers and students alike and why shouldn't we think about a change in this direction.

Why can't we change our system to a year-round approach? Maybe something along the lines of a 6 week vacation during the summer, 3 weeks at Easter, and 4 weeks over the winter holidays. Around those times we do a 45 days in followed by 15 days out learning system. All of this leading to an ongoing process of school improvement and continuous learning.

I understand some of the arguments: what about summer jobs, it would be easier to find day care for just the summer rather than over 3 different long breaks, summer school (for teachers and students), summer camps, etc. With change comes more change, I am sure we can adjust time frames for all of those things.

Do I think this would improve learning-- absolutely! Is there statistical stats that prove this-- probably not enough. My points would be the fact that teachers would be able to have continuous lessons and would need less reteaching to start the year. Schools could arrange tutoring during the shorter breaks to help students stay on the path that all others are on (when needed).

How do I think this would benefit the recruiting and retaining of teachers? I think shorter periods of continuing education that take place more within their own systems rather than from taking prolonged classes from higher education would interest some new teachers. We all have great access to technology and can connect in so many other ways that I feel some continuing education credit simply takes up to much time and little is implemented.

Overall, I agree many things in our system need changing. I agree with things our ed leaders and government officials want to see changed but there are some that I don't. We shall see where this all leads us and see if this time around any of the talking leads to REAL change!