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Balanced School Year: Enhancing Equity, Wellness, and Achievement

Explore the impact of restructuring the school year on student outcomes, wellness, and equity. Dr. Carolyn M. Shields presents research findings on the benefits of alternative calendars, such as the Modified and Multi-Track calendars. Discover how these changes can contribute to a regular rhythm for learning, addressing summer learning loss, and providing opportunities for intersession programs. Learn about the positive effects on student wellness, academic performance, safety, and equity. Gain insights into promoting equity, improving wellness, safety, graduation rates, and achievement through balanced calendars.

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Balanced School Year: Enhancing Equity, Wellness, and Achievement

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  1. Restructuring the School Year for Equity, Wellness, and Achievement : What Does the Research Show?Dr. Carolyn M. Shields, UBCcarolyn.shields@ubc.ca604 822-5359

  2. Criteria for Social Justice and Academic Excellence • Just (equity of access, sustainability, outputs, outcomes) • Democratic (participatory, inclusive) • Empathic (caring, respectful) • Optimistic (the “beyond” – widening life’s chances and choices)

  3. Research FocusEvidence Essential for Decision Making • Effect of YRS (misnomer) on 2 million North American students • Alternative, Modified, Balanced Calendars • 100s of interviews Mostly • 1000s of surveys US • Canada: 2 schools BC 8 schools ON 35 AB

  4. Single-Track Calendar(Kanaka Creek, Maple Ridge)

  5. Another Single-Track Calendar(45-15)

  6. Multi-Track Calendar

  7. Benefits to Students • Regular Rhythm for Learning • Summer Learning Loss • Intersession

  8. Davis District, Utah 57,000 students – 30,000 elementary school 36% in 12 MT-YRS rest in 34 traditional Predicted Range of Achievement (PRA) 6 yrs of standardized test data (5th gr): Traditional: 21% below PRA MT: 4% below PRA Follow-up interviews & surveys: 8 schools Some Insights…

  9. Regular Rhythm for Learning • Wellness – less burn-out, better motivation • Academic – less review time more conversation about teaching and learning planning in blocks for instruction • Safety – less vandalism, reduction of tensions, fewer suspensions & disciplinary incidents • Equity – opportunity for intersession

  10. Ontario Preferences

  11. Choice

  12. EQAO – Preliminary (7 schools; 1 yr)

  13. EQAO – Preliminary (3rd grade - reading)

  14. EQAO – Preliminary (3rd grade - math)

  15. 7 1996-1997 System 6.5 1997-1998 6 Modified 5.5 5 4.5 4 3.5 3 5.9 5.8 Over 2 years – 205 fewer substitute days = $25,625 in savings 2.5 5 2 3.9 1.5 1 0.5 0 Calgary Teacher Attendance(First two years – only 8 schools)

  16. Benefits to Students • Regular Rhythm for Learning • Summer Learning Loss • Intersession

  17. Summer Learning Loss Advantaged Kids Gain… School year: 13 months Summer: GAIN 3 – 4 months Net Gain: 16-17 months Disadvantaged Kids Gain… School Year: 12 months Summer: LOSE 3 – 4 months Net Gain: 8 – 9 months

  18. Benefits to Students • Regular Rhythm for Learning • Summer Learning Loss • Intersession

  19. Intersession • Enrichment (field trips, etc.) – few Canadian schools • Remediation – no Canadian Schools BUT many US schools: eg., Arizona, Washington, Florida • Acceleration – no Canadian Schools again US data Increased achievement, grad credits, lower drop-outs

  20. From “D” to “A” in one Year

  21. Research Shows that Balanced Calendars Can… • Promote equity by decreasing the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students… • Improve • Wellness • Safety • Graduation Rates • Achievement for all.

  22. IF • We have a clear focus on what we hope to achieve. • We choose an innovation proven to support the desired goal. • We provide adequate support for the change process.

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