One of the best arguments for modified school calendars, commonly referred to as “year-round school,” is that it allows teachers to work with struggling students during both the fall and spring.
In the model still used by most Mississippi school districts, such remedial teaching occurred after the school year ended, hence the term “summer school.”
Theoretically, at least, it’s easy to see the benefits of the modified schedule. Previously, students who fell behind often stayed behind throughout the school year. It is not only a detriment to learning, but demoralizing to some students, perhaps to the point of dropping out of school.
Under the modified schedule, there are two-week breaks, scheduled roughly halfway through each of the fall and spring semesters. The breaks, called intersessions, will allow students who have fallen behind to get the help they need to catch up rather than have to wait until summer. A stitch in time saves nine, as the saying goes, and providing students help before they fall even further behind makes good sense, at least in theory.
This fall, the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District will provide a glimpse of what the new calendar looks like in practice under the modified school calendar it adopted for the 2022-23 school year.
The SOCSD reports approximately 70 teachers have agreed to teach during the Oct. 3-12 fall intersession. Because teachers work under a state-mandated 187-day contract, those who teach during the intercession will sign a separate contract with the school district at a rate of $35 per hour. It is strictly voluntary, but for many teachers, the benefits are two-fold. It allows them to work closely with students who need help and also provides extra income.
The fall intercession will provide eight days of remedial instruction. The second intercession comes in March.
It will be interesting to see how this new approach works. No doubt, the October intercession will provide a lot of insight. If successful, we expect it will be reflected in student performance: test scores, ACT scores and dropout rates.
We recognize not everyone favors the modified schedule and its shortened summer breaks. Two years ago, Columbus Municipal School District was poised to switch to the modified calendar but relented in the face of sharp criticism from parents and even teachers.
If the modified schedule produces what proponents believe it will in Starkville, other area school districts are likely to take a closer look at the model.
At the very least, we believe it’s an approach worth considering.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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