Summer breaks from school get closer look in post-COVID environment

BY LEXI LONAS -

07/10/24

The Hill

In the article "Summer breaks from school get closer look in post-COVID environment" by Lexi Lonas, published on July 10, 2024, the author examines the historical context and contemporary debates surrounding the concept of year-round schooling versus the traditional summer break. The COVID-19 pandemic has reignited discussions on the benefits and drawbacks of different school schedules, highlighting issues of learning loss, food insecurity, and attendance.

Historical Context

The tradition of summer breaks in American schools began in the late 19th century. Paul von Hippel, a professor at the University of Texas in Austin, notes that there isn't a definitive answer as to why summer breaks were instituted. One theory suggests children were given time off to help with harvests, but this doesn't align with the timing of most crops. Another plausible explanation is the heat; schools were poorly ventilated and difficult to cool a century ago, making summer breaks a practical solution. This heat issue persists today, with schools occasionally closing due to extreme temperatures.

Decline of Year-Round Schooling

Currently, only 3% of U.S. public schools operate year-round. This number has decreased from 6% in the 1990s. The decline is partly due to misconceptions about the scheduling and the challenges it poses to families and teachers. Year-round schooling gained popularity in the late 1990s, especially in California, as a solution to school overcrowding. The multi-track, year-round calendar used staggered schedules to maximize the use of school facilities. Despite the name, year-round schools do not operate continuously but instead have shorter, more frequent breaks.

Educational and Social Impacts

Proponents of year-round schooling argue that it helps mitigate issues such as food insecurity and learning loss. James Pedersen, superintendent at Essex County Schools of Technology, suggests that year-round schedules could improve attendance and reduce absenteeism. The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified concerns about learning loss, combining the usual "summer slide" with "COVID learning loss," making the case for re-evaluating traditional school calendars.

Challenges and Resistance

Despite its potential benefits, year-round schooling faces significant resistance. Jennifer Steele, a professor at American University, points out the logistical challenges and societal norms that favor the traditional summer break. Families often rely on summer for vacations and teenagers for job opportunities. Studies over the past decade have shown that simply switching to a year-round calendar does not necessarily improve student achievement and can create logistical challenges.

Future Considerations

Advocates for year-round education believe that the pandemic has opened the door for more flexible and experimental approaches to schooling. Pedersen emphasizes the need to rethink how time is spent in schools, suggesting that modifications in school schedules during the pandemic demonstrated that traditional full-day schedules are not always necessary. However, convincing the public and policymakers to abandon the long-standing tradition of summer breaks remains a daunting task.

In conclusion, while the concept of year-round schooling presents several educational benefits, particularly in addressing learning loss and attendance issues, it faces substantial cultural and logistical hurdles. The decision ultimately depends on community needs and the willingness to adapt to new educational paradigms in the post-COVID environment.

For more details, refer to the original article: Summer breaks from school get closer look in post-COVID environment.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com