Summer versus School The Possibilities of the Year-Round School [Hardcover]

In Summer Versus School, James Pedersen explores the history of summer vacation and analyzes the various 12-month school calendar models that could prevent summer fade. This book is very well written and should spur interesting conversations about the best ways to increase student achievement.Dr.? Pedersens book is a very welcome addition to the growing body of scholarship that seeks school calendar reform to enhance student learning, reduce summer learning loss, and move the discussion forward on pairing educational processes to life in America today.As American educational reformers continue to find innovative ways to address the global achievement gap, many experts seem to agree that increasing instructional time is a viable option. In addition to extending the school day, some educational leaders have looked to modifying the traditional academic calendar to address some of the academic losses that occur when students have 8-10 weeks of summer vacation each year.As American educational reformers continue to find innovative ways to address the global achievement gap, many experts seem to agree that increasing instructional time is a viable option. In addition to extending the school day, some educational leaders have looked to modifying the traditional academic calendar to address some of the academic losses that occur when students have 8-10 weeks of summer vacation each year. Re-examining how students spend their summer vacation, although considered by many to be a cultural taboo, may be the answer to addressing global competition and decreasing the national achievement gap. The need for a two month break from schools harkens back to a pre-industrial time that no longer is pertinent for our students. Although an answer may be staring us in the face, are we willing to give up on the American tradition of summer vacation all in the name of reform and student success?PrefaceAcknowledgementsPART IChapter 1 - The Summer and the American School System: The History olS+