Year-Round Education: Change and Choice for Schools and Teachers

Examines three Title I, year-round, or modified calendar schools that switched from a traditional to a modified schedule in order to meet the academic needs of the students. After the schools transitioned, the many benefits this calendar had on teacher motivation were revealed. Aspects of the alternative calendar that motivated teachers by relieving stress and burnout included, but were not limited to: at least two-week breaks every nine weeks throughout the year, opportunities to teach (and earn extra money), or not (and possibly travel) during intersessions, opportunities for their students to attend up to 30 more days of school through intersession classes, and time to professionally plan and reflect. These are important findings in relation to teacher retention and job satisfaction especially in urban, suburban, or poorer communities where teacher turnover tends to be high.