School Calendar Reform : Learning in All Seasons

There is a multiplicity of efforts to reform and restructure K-12 education. To date, however, reform efforts have yielded little significant change, in effect maintaining a status quo. Here, the authors urge the nation's citizenry to focus on the importance of education and to accept change as required to improve the overall learning of students.

The element of time is crucial in the discussion of school reform. Modifying the school calendar is a primary reform effort that enhances the academic agenda of the schools and responds to current issues in American education. This reviews all aspects of restructuring the school- year calendar; presents concepts and pertinent research pertaining to school calendar reform; and examines the theory of year-round education so the general public, educators, and policymakers might better understand the issues involved. It also includes: definitions of the various types of year-round education, the historical background and recent developments on calendar restructuring, responses to common questions posed by those involved in calendar reform, an explanation of program evaluation, and indicators of school quality. This book will be of interest to all stakeholders including public school officials and the general public.