Related story: Local parents open to year-round school
CRAWFORDVILLE, Ga. --- Ginger Smith's ninth-grade literature class diligently takes a writing quiz, and later some students click away at computers.
Although classes at Taliaferro County School operate like those in Richmond County in many ways, one major difference is their year-round calendar.
"A lot of people are intimidated just by the name," says principal Jemessyn Foster. She said the school year has the same number of days as a traditional calendar -- 180 -- just with a nine-weeks-on, three-weeks-off schedule, and 41/2 weeks off for the summer. "I'd tell every school in the state to go year round. Our students really struggled (in the past), and with this calendar, with the shorter summer, the kids have less time to lose all of that information."
The idea of a year-round calendar and extended school day has been in the national spotlight. President Obama and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan have stated a preference for them to bring U.S. students in line with other countries.
"It is something people are looking at," said Michael Childs, the director of public information at the University of Georgia College of Education.
LOCAL CONNECTION
A year-round calendar, which would shorten the traditional six- to 10-week summer break, is something Richmond County Superintendent Dana Bedden calls a more effective model.
"I'm a proponent of it," he said, adding that in part it would allow schools to offer extra instruction for at-risk students during periodic breaks throughout the year instead of in summer school.
Because of budget cuts and future calendars already approved, Dr. Bedden said he doesn't foresee any year-round proposal for at least a couple of years. He said he wouldn't want to add any other major changes because worker morale remains low amid furloughs.
But he said that if the economy picks up in a couple of years and "if the board would support it, I'd love it."
School board member Barbara Pulliam said she has heard the buzz. "Some people like that," she said. "That could be good, if set up right."
Dr. Bedden said he is working with an outside firm to develop the school system's own after-school program and a better summer school program by as early as next year for at-risk students.
Lengthening the school day or amending the calendar for all students, he said, is out of the question. More state budget cuts could be looming, and extra funding would be needed to pay for added instruction, utilities and other costs.
THE DEBATE
Taliaferro County School administrators, parents and students say they love the year-round calendar, which is in its eighth year.
In the past four years, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding CRCT score standards for Adequate Yearly Progress has steadily increased in many of the school's grade levels, and the school as a whole made AYP for the first time this year, according to state records.
"My first year, we had eighth-graders reading on a first-grade level," said Ms. Foster, who started during the 2000-01 school year. She said all students are now reading at their grade level.
"It's not going to happen overnight," she said. "But if you look at our results you can see that ongoing improvement."
Ms. Smith said the biggest bonus of the year-round model is that students don't forget as much from the previous school year after a shorter summer break.
"They don't seem to get out of the habit of school," she said. "It's easier to build on what you've done the previous year. I think it's definitely a benefit."
Summer school is replaced by having at-risk students receive extra instruction throughout the year during one of the three weeks everyone else is off.
Taliaferro County School students seem to like the schedule.
"It is better at Christmastime. You get to spend more time with your family," said ninth-grader Reginald Miller.
The school's three-week breaks come in the fall, around Christmas and around spring break. Some students said the only downside is having friends in other traditional calendar districts that have longer summers.
"We'll be going back in the middle of the summer right when everybody else is going on vacation," said ninth-grader Ariel Hampton. But she said she still prefers the year-round schedule because by September she gets three weeks off while her friends at other schools remain in class.
Periodic breaks appeal to parent Tina Heath, who has three children at Taliaferro County School and moved to Crawfordville this year from Oxford, Ga. Until this school year, her children had attended a private school that ran on the traditional schedule.
"I love it," Ms. Heath said. She said having her children out when others are in school helps make vacations and other outings easier because there are fewer crowds. "We can get in the parks easy," she said.
TRADITION REMAINS
Despite its proponents, Taliaferro County School -- the lone school in the Crawfordville area -- is one of just 13 school systems out of 191 in Georgia to offer a year-round schedule, according to Georgia Department of Education records. There are none in South Carolina, according to that state's Department of Education.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 30 states in 2008 had districts with some schools operating year round.
C.H. Terrell Academy, a private school in Augusta, touts on its Web site its status as Augusta's only year-round school.
Some Georgia schools have tried the year-round idea only to revert back.
Gaines Elementary School in Athens operated on a year-round schedule for five consecutive years. Its calendar extended 15 days beyond the traditional 180-day calendar.
"We really only had a month off for summer break," said principal Phyllis Stewart, adding that her school was on a nine-weeks-on, three-weeks-off schedule.
"My teachers loved it, and we would be doing it now if we could," she said, adding that budgetary issues arose from personnel, utility and gasoline costs. The school returned to a traditional schedule three years ago.
Gaines was one of two Clarke County elementary schools to try the extended year-round approach as part of a pilot program in partnership with the University of Georgia's College of Education.
Jenny Oliver, a faculty member with the College of Education who was a co-director of the partnership, said teachers loved the schedule. They said they needed less review time with students at the start of a new school year.
Dr. Oliver said there wasn't the "political or financial will" to grow the pilot program. She said the 15 extra days cost $440,000 for the two Athens schools. She said school officials agreed to continue funding for those two schools but not to expand the program to others, which she said was the original intent.
Dr. Oliver said the two schools returned to the traditional format. She said another problem was that only two schools in the district were on the year-round schedule, meaning some parents who had children going to different schools found themselves having to adjust to different break times.
THE DEMOGRAPHICS
Of the 13 school systems that offer a year-round schedule in Georgia, many are in population areas of less than 20,000 and have a high percentage living below the poverty level. Aside from three elementary schools in Atlanta, the only other large community to have a year-round offering is west Georgia's Muscogee County, where two schools are on the schedule. Muscogee -- which is consolidated with the city of Columbus -- had a 2008 population of nearly 187,000 and a poverty rate of 18.5 percent.
Taliaferro County has a population of nearly 2,000, and its poverty level is 23.4 percent. According to Census data, Richmond County has more than 199,000 residents and a 24.1 percent poverty level.
Ms. Foster, Taliaferro County School's principal, said the year-round calendar might work better in her community simply because the high unemployment rate allows many parents to stay with their children during the three-week breaks.
Rebecca Kaye, the director of policy and government relations for the Atlanta system, said two of their year-round schools -- Hutchinson and Boyd elementary -- are in low-income, minority communities. She said the year-round schedule tends to work well for families who might not have summer learning opportunities at costly camps and would benefit from a shorter summer. Conversely, she said, more affluent families might not want their child's extended summer changed as it could interfere with summer camps.
OTHER IDEAS
In Richmond County, school board members discussed in a recent committee meeting their own ideas and suggestions they've heard from the public about the current school calendar.
Some school board members asked whether the school year could start after Labor Day because of heat issues. But they were told an early-August start is recommended because it allows more instruction time for upcoming state tests.
Board member Helen Minchew said she has had a lot of people ask her about a four-day school week to save on bus fuel costs and utilities.
Board members were told a four-day week means longer school days. Some schools could let out as late as 6 p.m., and that could eliminate some extracurricular activities.
Board vice president Alex Howard suggested that 15 minutes could be tacked onto the end of the school day and shorten the number of days schools have to operate to save on utilities and other costs. The proposal got little support from other board members.
In Taliaferro County, Ms. Foster says she has found the answer, not only for her district but also for others. "With that short break (in the summer) our kids come back -- and I'm serious; most people don't buy into it, but it works -- our test scores are up and our students are more confident."
Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 828-3851 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
COULD IT HAPPEN HERE?
Richmond County has set its calendar through the 2011-12 school year with a traditional summer break.
Superintendent Dana Bedden says he supports year-round schooling and would entertain the idea of adopting the model in Richmond County. Even some local parents are open to the idea.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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This article does make one interesting point that I have read before about year-round versus "traditional" calendar schools. At-risk children tend to do better in the year-round schedule - children with the advantage of parent education during long summers tend to be fine with "traditional" calendar schools. Remember, too, our country's schools many years ago used to work around farmer's planting and harvesting schedules and the country still managed to succeed and move forward.
I am not opposed to the idea of year round schools because much of the research indicates it is beneficial to the students. I do hope the BOE would consider the effects on others before making a change. High school students who work during the summer could find it more difficult to find a job. Daycares would have to accommodate the needs of the school age children when they are out of school. Much thought needs to be put into a decision such as this before it is implemented, but I am confident the BOE would discuss this will all stakeholders before a decision is made.
Old habits are hard to break and I am please that Dr. Bedden has elected to postpone considering year round school in part due to low morale. I caution Dr. Bedden's thinking that low morale is due to furloughs. Please understand that when teachers know that the superintendent, their school administrator, and the school board are making the EDUCATION of students their first priority and are supportive of them in their efforts to achieve that goal, morale is not an issue. Educators understand the need for cuts in a weak economy. Low morale derives when teachers (the largest percentage of educators) experience and expertise is not valued. When inept people are promoted, when school board members, who have been elected to ensure that our school system is a well run organization, disregard the need for having a clear vision of what actually happens behind the doors of the school and think of teachers in an adverse manners. My question to Dr. Bedden is what are you doing in earnest to address the morale issue so as to eliminate it as a hindrance in studying the year round school schedule?
So your typical hardworing student will have to change their way of schooling for all the 'at risk students?" Many renunions and out of Country trips and other projects anre planned around the longer summer break....my kids do not "lose" what they have learned during this time...(it's called retention).....I vote no!
It makes no sense to not use available resources to provide a quality education. A plan should be established to divide a school year into four quarters or semesters with the curriculum developed to allow each student to progress at the speed and level he/she is capable of. Establish it like many schools of higher learning do --- sign up for the classes desired with basic classes being required and a time-schedule for graduation. Require a minimum of three quarters of school each year with the student and his/her parents making their own schedule. Provide academic counselors/advisers to assist with scheduling. Allow teachers to schedule which quarters they want to teach & compensate them accordingly - then let extra- curriculum activities to function around this logical scheduling - leverage available resources to more efficiently and effectively educate while giving flexibility to the educators and to the students -- the end result would be a better educated student at less cost.
I am not sure if I am pro or con year round school, bettyboop yearlong school does not eliminate extended breaks, as explained in the article, thereby allowing for the travel you like to expose your children to, however it may require planning differently. Unfortunately the public school system cannot be tailored to meet the needs of the miniority and majority at the same time, the consolation is that if the needs of the majority of students are met, the needs of our community and country are better served. Consider the big picture before taking a stand.
So factfinder the Majority of students in this ares are "at risk"? ANd if this is the case just what does that say about the parents abd educators here ??
Hawaii has had school year round for awhile. I think it's a good idea, especially for grade school kids. Teachers have to spend the first month of a new year to refresh students on what they learned the year before. And as far as day care goes, it would be cheaper on working parents who have to send children to daycare when the kids are out of school. I think it would benefit all students, not just the at risk ones.
what i like most about year round school is another idea: for students that are failing, there are 3 week "catch up" periods scheduled throughout the year. a few teachers could rotate extended contracts and serve as tutors to these students. also, the breaks could be used by afterschool programs to do additional projects that can't be done during normal schedules. i'm a teacher and i'm completely in favor of year round school schedules.
Not in my opinion bettyboop, but if you are looking at what the state has to say about AYP Richmond County has not made AYP this year nor in the past. Since AYP is one of the standard by which we are measured on a state level and nationally then that is what must be addressed. Lets not evade the real issue which is that studies indicate as a nation we are not doing well in education, if we are to compete we must do a better job at educating our youth. The implication is the community must get serious about the education of ALL of our youth Oh and by the way Columbia County School system did not make AYP either. Are you suggesting that we simply ignore the facts? http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=103&CountyId=636&T=1&F...
bettyboop, I don't think the year-round school calendar is designed for the at-risk students, specifically. All students would benefit as it prevents burnout for teachers AND students during the year. Frequent breaks would allow everyone time to take a break and even the higher achieving students could benefit from this.
I wonder what the statement "Dr. Bedden said he is working with an outside firm to develop the school system's own after-school program and a better summer school program by as early as next year for at-risk students." is going to cost us. I would think a man of his talents and experience could develop a program for summer school, in house using RCBOE employees. What in the devil do we pay these people for? Is it to outsource every idea coming down the pike? Come on folks when are we going to have elected representatives that demand results from employees.
Disssman, I am not sure that I am understanding what Dr. Bedden is suggesting, was this covered in the newspaper? If so when? On the surface this seems illogical.
Where can we go to learn more about Dr. Bedden's proposal of out sourcing school programs?
Great idea, wiz. Too bad the state Department of Education doesn't feel the same way. And "learn at the speed they need to"- sure, have 8 year olds in kindergarten learning reading, along with 5 year olds. Where do you get your ideas?
they were talking about doing this before i graduated high school it needs to happen . c/o 93 bhs
Be prepared, if you want year-round school. to pay for it. All your staff must work 12 months, instead of 10. All your buses run 12 months instead of 10, meaning more gas, more maintenance, more tires, and replacing school buses more often. Utility costs go up. It's not as perfect as it seems.
Not true corginmom, year round school does not mean going to school 12 months. As stated in the article, the school calendar is still 180 days, school breaks are rearranged.
The infrastructure and capital equipment (buses, buildings, etc.) are in place year around -- giving the student (parents) an option to go year around or sit out one-quarter each year allows for a family to plan for breaks and gives the students who don't have summer jobs, etc. the chance to finish early if they want to -- and teachers can plan the same way -- take off a quarter or work year around -- salaries would have to be adjusted -- and if you paid the better teachers more (based on the independent testing of students they teach) you would attract better teachers, graduate better students & produce a better workforce -- unfortunately, George is perceived by industry people outside our region to not have a well educated workforce -- thus we are often bypassed when companies expand or move their operations
My kids did year around school in elementary school and we loved it. That week of vacation in October was really nice because it was not crowded anywhere we went. We enjoyed the breaks as well. The amount of time at school is the same as the other kids have. corgimom, there was no 12 month of school. Go feed your mutts.
The cost per student in Taliaferro County (T'Oliver Co.) is over $14,600, which is outrageously high for one of, if not the, poorest counties in the state. School taxes just jumped 38% this year and the Superintendent not only didn't know the cost per pupil in surrounding counties, he didn't know why that might be important. I can only suppose that it never occurred to him that we might be paying him $80,000 a year to be an administrator, which sometimes has something to do with financial accountability, but not in T'Oliver County. However the kids do get two meals a day at school.
When a school goes on year-round, the staff does too. "My teachers loved it, and we would be doing it now if we could," she said, adding that budgetary issues arose from personnel, utility and gasoline costs. The school returned to a traditional schedule three years ago." Say you were a bus driver. Would you be ok with a job that ran for 9 weeks, then no paycheck for 3 weeks, then work for another 9 weeks? In the summer, people can work 2nd jobs, but the only way you can keep staff is to employ them year round.
Stparrot: Aren't our children worth it? I think so.
Congimom the main reason for studying the year-round school is to determine if it can help to improve student learning. School systems are not in business to meet the needs of bus drivers or other school employees, rather bus drivers are hired to meet the needs of the school system. The final analysis is school systems must make STUDENT LEARNING the top priority.
There is a possibility that the bus drivers are paid once a month as teachers are. They stretch the salary of the 190 days (for teachers) over a period of 12 months so they receive a paycheck even when school is not in session.
You can't run a school without staff, and you cant run a school without money. Take a look at what bus drivers are paid. They get summer jobs to supplement their income. Go on year round school, and they lose that summer job money. They get paid peanuts to start with, and they can't afford to lose that second job income. The school system can't hardly find bus drivers as it is.
Education is now run just like a business. Money is the bottom line. Then there are those pesky little CRCT scores. But most administrators have calculated a way to work around those. AYP...yes they have figured out a way to juggle those figures, too. Teachers are afraid to speak up or they may loose their jobs. They just do what they are told if their consciences can take it or if they must have the cash to survive. It is so sad!
I like the idea of year round school. I just wish they would have done it 7 yrs ago when my kids started school. Kids don't need such a long break in the summer. More shorter breaks to break up the year is nice. Gives them more breaks from school and they dont forget so much info. Makes taking vacations so much nicer, less crowded and less expensive. Also like the idea of a 4 day week. A 3 day weekend every weekend would be awesome!
I actually went to year round school in middle school and high school and I loved it. By the time I was bored with school, I had about a month off. Then by the time I was bored being at home, I was going back to school. I know some parents are against it, but it's possible to give families an option. We had different tracks, like for high school you could have a choice between year round or traditional. That way it makes everyone happy. This cut down on the over crowding of the schools as well.
I really don't know which would be better, year-round or the present system. The summer vacation seems too short already to me, personally and professionally, but I'm just one person, I don't know what the majority of people that would be impacted by a change like this, think. I think year round school MIGHT be better for many parents and most students, but how much more expensive would it be running school air conditioners in the dead heat of summer? I really don't know. Has anyone studied the financial impact of that change? I wouldn't want to add another financial burden to the schools right now. That factor should also be considered.