Long summer break ‘has no effect’

19th May 2000, 1:00am

Share

Long summer break ‘has no effect’

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/long-summer-break-has-no-effect
NEARLY 3,000 American schools have re-organised their school year to avoid long summer holidays that are thought to disrupt children’s educational progress.

But a study involving more than 370,000 North Carolina pupils has found “year-round” schools fare no better than those on traditional calendars.

US schools have even more reason to worry about the “summer learning loss” - now being discussed in the UK - because the break can stretch to three months. However, research by Bradley McMillen, of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, raises new questions about the value of re-arranging the academic year.

In North Crolina, many schools now have 15-day breaks every 45 days. But when McMillen compared pupils in 106 “year-round” schools with those in conventional schools he found no statistically significant differences in reading or maths achievement.

Further analysis of test scores suggested that lower-achieving students might benefit slightly from year-round schools. But McMillen says other factors - such as holiday remedial classes offered by year-round schools - could have been responsible.

“A statewide evaluation of academic achievement in year-round schools”, by Bradley J McMillen, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction


Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared