Another editor

Hello, my username is Sleenen and I am currently researching Year Round School as a college English assignment at MSU Bozeman. I have additional information on the controversy portion of the article. I also have some older sources (from books around 1970) that provide information as well that seems to still be relevant. Most of my information would be used to add to the Multi-track portion of the article because I have a lot of pros and cons for it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sleenen (talk • contribs) 23:34, 17 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

To-do list

Improving this article is a good project choice. Now, a description of who's-doing-what should be posted on the article's talk page as an announcement of your intentions to improve it. You should also be reading, researching, and starting your drafts soon--I'd like to see something in progress by class time on Tues Mar 13. Here in this space would be a good place to put your contributions as they take shape in preparation for "going live" when you're ready
Webster Newbold (talk) 19:05, 10 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Group Members

Hey this is Danielle. My page is User:dsakers

This is Chase: User:thatdjdjkid

Who is Doing What

Introduction: not sure

Background/history: not sure

Models (Danielle) Single track Multi-track Extended Year

Arguments In favor (Britt) Against (Chase) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dsakers (talk • contribs) 01:33, 13 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

OK, THINGS ARE UNDER WAY; NEEDS INTRO AND DEFINITION, WITH SOME HISTORY. I SEE A NUMBER OF FACTS BUT NO OVERVIEW TO TIE THEM TOGETHER. "AGAINST" PART NEEDS TO HAPPEN. REFERENCES NEED TO BE CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE ARTICLE, SO YOU NEED TO AGREE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO HAPPEN: FOOTNOTE STYLE OR IN-TEXT PARENTHETICAL. THIS ISN'T QUITE READY FOR THE AMBASSADOR TO REVIEW BUT NEEDS TO BE ASAP

PLEASE MAKE A CLEAN COPY IN PATHFINDER'S SANDBOX--MY FAULT FOR NOT TELLING YOU EARLIER. THIS IS THE BEST PATH TO MOVING IT TO THE WIKISPACE.

-Webster Newbold (talk) 17:17, 20 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I will move the draft to the Sandbox. We are waiting on the against argument from Chase, i have contacted him about needing it. Also, we are going to use the citation wizard Wikipedia has, I just have not done that for my references yet.

Draft

Background/History

Types of Year Round Education

Three types of year round schooling exist: single track, multi track, and extended year. Most schools are on either a single track or multitrack system; the foremost difference between the two is that single track schedules allow all students to attend school at the same time, while multitrack systems divide students and teachers into various tracks with different instructional times and vacations. ^[1] Two of the most common schedule plans are the 60-20 and the 45-15, both of which can be used in either single or multitrack programs. The 60-20 schedule keeps students in school for sixty days with three twenty-day vacations, and the 45-15 plan provides students with forty-five days of instruction and four fifteen-day vacations. Variations on these schedules, such as 60-15 and 45-10, allow students one more break during the school year. ^[1]

Single Track

The single track schedule is the most prominent of the three types.^[2] ^[1] These schools do not add additional days to their school year, but instead they incorporate shorter breaks throughout the year. Thus, a single track schedule simply arranges the traditional school year into different school days and break days. Critics often analyze both the academic and financial effects of this common form of year-round school, but according to Charles Ballinger, executive director emeritus of the National Association for Year-Round Education (NAYRE), a single track schedule “doesn’t cost any more or less [than a traditional school schedule]…it’s pretty much a wash financially."^[2]

Multitrack

A multitrack schedule divides students into multiple tracks so that one group goes to school while another group takes vacation.^[2] Multitrack schedules reportedly bring many benefits to schools that use them. Some of these schools utilize multiple tracks to aid specific groups of students. Some schools place all grades of bilingual or Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) classes on the same track so that all the bilingual or GATE students attend school at the same time (Knudson). Some of these schools utilize such a schedule for financial reasons: schools in Wake County, N.C., have four tracks in order to accommodate more students without having to build more schools. This school system reports that for every three multitrack schools, one less school must be built.^[2]

Extended Year

The extended year schedule can act as either a single track or multitrack, but it adds 15 to 20 days to the total school year. President Obama has called for school administrations to lengthen school years in order to compete with students worldwide, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan supports extended school years as well.^[2] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dsakers (talk • contribs) 01:35, 13 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Arguments

Just as most things, the topic of year-round schooling has two sides. Individuals and organizations argue both in favor of and against year-round education.

In Favor of Year-Round School

Effects on Students

Attitudes

Several different studies have been conducted to learn more about the attitudes of students who attend year-round schools. The majority of these studies show that students’ attitudes towards school did significantly increase as they spent more time on a year-round schedule (Palmer & Bennis, 1999). Students who attend year-round school say that their calendar is more balanced than their peers who have a typical school calendar (K12 Academics).

Academic Performance

Students who attend year-round schools typically do as well as or slightly better in school than their peers who attend a traditionally scheduled school (Palmer & Bennis, 1999).

At-risk students are those who come from a low-income family, have a disability, are of an ethnic minority, or are influenced by something else that may cause them to perform poorly in school. In 1994, a study of three year-round schools showed a substantial gain in academic achievement for at-risk, low performing students (Gandra & Fish, 1994). More frequent, short breaks provide struggling students more time for help (Ballinger, 1995). These breaks can be used for remedial courses, tutoring, and enrichment, if needed (K12 Academics)

The state of California’s Department of Education claims that year-round schools’ third-graders had an average increase of 9.5% on standardized tests and 13.3% in reading scores (K12 Academics).

Effect on Teachers and Administration

Studies show that even though around 50% of parents are in favor of the year-round schedule before it is implemented, almost 80% are in favor of it after the first year (Palmer & Bennis, 1999). Parents and families are able to still arrange daycare as well as vacations. The year round schedule provides more opportunities for family vacations. This schedule can also save families money because they are able to take vacations during off-peak times (K12 Academics).

Against Year-Round School

Costs

If schools are open for longer the operating and maintenance costs may increase up to 10 percent. (Silva, 2007)

Students often have to save money to go to college, which means they often will find summer jobs or part time jobs. With year round schooling teens may have difficulty maintaining a job to save for college. (Silvernail & Bickford, 2009)

Effects on Students

Students with attention learning disabilities may experience difficulties with longer school days. Younger elementary students who are not fully developed may not see any additional benefit to extended days. This in turn may increase behavioral issues with-in the classroom. (About.com

With year round schooling students may miss out on experiences such as summer camps. (St. PetersBurg Times)

After school activities may experience conflicts with longer school days. (About.com)

Sources

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bc3b0ecc-eca0-4650-9ffe-46ae32be72ee%40sessionmgr10&vid=4&hid=104

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VUlSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=enoDAAAAIBAJ&dq=year-round-school&pg=1833%2C5419673

http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/year-round-school-pros-cons.htm

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bc3b0ecc-eca0-4650-9ffe-46ae32be72ee%40sessionmgr10&vid=4&hid=104 — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dsakers (talk • contribs) 19:49, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Topic Ideas

Hey Brittany. Took a look at the topic ideas you posted on my page. Here's some feedback:

American Girl - This article has quite a bit of content. Some of it is poorly sourced. What are your ideas for this page? Adding a new section, cleanup, rewrite?
Italian Shepherd - Lots of room for improvement here. Find two or three reliable sources on the topic, and you're off running. This has no sources presently, so it's pretty much a blank slate. Is this breed internationally recognized? Is there a global breed authority? (My dog's a mutt!) The Interior (Talk) 20:09, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Year-round school - This one's underdeveloped. Again, a handful of reliable sources and you could expand this one.

Anyways, let me know your thoughts, best, The Interior (Talk) 20:09, 26 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

We have chosen to look further into the Year-round School topic. -user:bnfeilen

Resources

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bc3b0ecc-eca0-4650-9ffe-46ae32be72ee%40sessionmgr10&vid=4&hid=104 — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dsakers (talk • contribs) 19:34, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Source review

Hello year-round schoolers. I was going to take a look at your sources, but they're a bit hard to find with just the EBSCO links. About.com is not really reliable, I'm afraid. Could someone maybe list the EBSCO-hosted sources out in regular citation style? Thanks, The Interior (Talk) 06:28, 14 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Welcome to Wikipedia! Drop by the Teahouse anytime for a cup of tea, or some help with editing!

Hello! Bnfeilen, you are invited to join other new editors and friendly hosts in the Teahouse. An awesome place to meet people, ask questions and learn more about Wikipedia. Please join us! Sarah (talk) 14:21, 21 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

^ ^a ^b ^c Palmer, Elisabeth A. "Year-Round Education" (PDF). Retrieved 13 March 2012. Cite error: The named reference "Palmer" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Desshoff, Alan (2011). ""Is Year-Round Schooling on Track?"". District Administration. 47 (7): 34–36. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "Desshoff" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[Palmer-1] Palmer, Elisabeth A. "Year-Round Education" (PDF). Retrieved 13 March 2012. Cite error: The named reference "Palmer" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[Desshoff-2] Desshoff, Alan (2011). ""Is Year-Round Schooling on Track?"". District Administration. 47 (7): 34–36. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "Desshoff" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

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