Legislation for Year-Round School Announced

Deborah Bayliss | As of Friday, January 31, 2014

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) announced new legislation at a press conference last week at Alain Locke Charter School on Chicago’s West Side, pushing for year-round schools throughout the nation as a way to close the achievement gap. Alain Locke Charter School is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of seven schools that is closing the achievement gap.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) announced new legislation at a press conference last week at Alain Locke Charter School on Chicago’s West Side, pushing for year-round schools throughout the nation as a way to close the achievement gap. Alain Locke Charter School is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of seven schools that is closing the achievement gap.

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U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk announced new legislation at a press conference last week held at Alain Locke Charter School, on Chicago’s West Side, pushing for year-round schools throughout the nation as a way to close the achievement gap.

"Several countries already operate all-year schools," Kirk said. "Those countries include Japan and Singapore, all of whom radically outperform the United States."

Alain Locke Charter School is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of seven schools that is closing the achievement gap.

The legislation targets underperforming schools in low-income neighborhoods and is called the All-Year School Study Act.

Rev. James Meeks, pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago House of Hope Worship Center, 752 E. 114th St., and former chairman of the Illinois Senate Education Committee, supports Kirk's proposed legislation.

Meeks, who spoke at the press conference, said year-round schools not only provide more time for children to learn but also provide a safe haven for them.

Locke has an extended school year, with 190 academic school days. 

"Just imagine kids being in an environment where they are safe, they are protected and they are learning," Meeks said.

Kirk's All-Year School Study Act is supported by $4 million from the Fund for the Improvement of Education, which supports grants to state and local education agencies.

Four schools across the country would be awarded grants for the pilot program.

According to Kirk, schools like Locke that have extended school years, give children more time with core subjects such as math and science.

Locke’s Principal, Patrick Love, said, "The longer school day and year allows more time for differentiated learning, enrichment opportunities, physical education and recess, community building, teacher planning time and collaboration, as well as more planning time for weekly professional development of our staff."

According to Kirk, The All-Year School Study Act was inspired by schools such as Alain Locke and year-round schools in some Pacific Rim countries.

According to the National Education Association, some arguments for year-round education include:

· Students tend to forget a lot during the summer break, so a shorter time away from school might increase retention rates.

· It's a more efficient use of school space because otherwise buildings are unoccupied during the summer.

· Remediation can occur when it is most needed – during the school year.

Some critics of year-round education contend:

· Band and other extracurricular programs suffer from problems with scheduling out-of-school practices and competitions.

· If an entire district does not adopt a year-round calendar, parents could have students at different schools at different schedules.

· Studies have been inconclusive to its academic benefits.

If approved, the pilot program will begin in the 2015 fiscal year.  

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