reasons
logical main points to support a claim
evidence
facts, examples, statistics, etc. that support a claim
explanation
explains evidence and shows how it supports your
reasons/claim
reasons
logical main points to support a claim
evidence
explanation
explains evidence and shows how it supports your
reasons/claim
Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months?
(Hook and background information)
The final bell rings. It is the last day of school, and summer has finally come. Students do not have to think about school for at least another two and a half months. That is the way it should always be. Currently, many school districts are either adopting or thinking of adopting year-round schooling. They should think again. (Thesis sentence) Schools should continue using the traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule because there are numerous downsides to year-round schooling: it has no positive effects on education, it adds to costs, and it disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation. (Body Paragraphs)
First, contrary to the well-accepted belief, year-round schooling has no constructive impact on education. Most year-round schedules use the 45-15 method: 45 days of school followed by 15 days off. Because of this, there are many first and last days of school. All those transitions disrupt the learning process. Also, there is no evidence of higher test scores. Due to that, many schools that change to year-round schedules end up switching back. For example, since 1980, 95 percent of schools that tried the year-round schedule changed back to a traditional calendar (Center for Public Eduation). It is obvious that changing to year-round schooling does not help students; therefore, why is the change necessary?
Second, like any other facility, keeping a school open requires a great deal of money. When a school changes to a year-round schedule, the costs skyrocket. Keeping school open in the middle of summer requires air conditioning, and that adds significantly to the school’s expenses. The usual utility bills grow because of the additional open-school time. Finally, teachers must be paid for all the weeks they are working. With all these factors, the cost of keeping schools open becomes immensely high. For example, a high school in Arizona had a cost increase of $157,000 when they switched to year-round schooling. Some schools may not be able to handle such increases, and other schools that can handle these expenses could be doing better things with the money. Is year-round school really where the money should go?
Third, an important part of a child’s life is summertime. With year-round schedules, students would hardly have any time to relax. During the 15-day breaks, they would be thinking about their quick return to school. It would also be difficult to coordinate family vacations with parents’ work schedules. Similarly, children would not be able to go to most summer camps. One expert, Dr. Peter Scales, says, “The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most schools don’t satisfy all these needs. Kids who have these kinds of [camp] experiences end up being healthier and have fewer problems.” Obviously, the summer is crucial to a child’s learning and development. Why should this invaluable part of a young person’s life be taken away?
(Counterclaim and Rebuttal)
A common concern is that children will lose learning over the summer. However, those family vacations and summer camps provide valuable learning that can not be found at school. Also, parents can provide opportunities for their children to keep up skills. For instance, frequent visits to public libraries let children choose their own books and practice reading. Families can study and learn together through shared books and field trips. It is easy and pleasurable to avoid the "summer slide" in student skills.
(Conclusion)
(Counterclaim and Rebuttal)
A common concern is that children will lose learning over the summer. However, those family vacations and summer camps provide valuable learning that can not be found at school. Also, parents can provide opportunities for their children to keep up skills. For instance, frequent visits to public libraries let children choose their own books and practice reading. Families can study and learn together through shared books and field trips. It is easy and pleasurable to avoid the "summer slide" in student skills.
(Conclusion)
In conclusion, it is evident that year-round schooling is not the best option for the school calendar because it has so many downsides. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional school year. Why change something that works so well? The final bell rings. Let us make sure this bell means that the “real” summer vacation has come.
