Arguments Against Year-Round Schooling

 1.What is the claim of the argument “Summer: 15 days or 2 ½ Months”? AKS 20

• 1. Year-round schedules give students and parents a lot of breaks throughout the school year, so they can rest and travel   

• 1. Taking away the traditional summer break would ruin family vacations and steal the chance for students to rest and explore their own interests.

• Schools should continue using a traditional school calendar because it’s better than a year-round schedule.

• There are a variety of different school calendars that give students and teachers multiple breaks.

Remember that a fact is something that can be verified or proved. Which text detail is a fact that supports the writer’s argument? AKS 10,20

• “That is the way it should always be.”

• “There is absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional school year.”

• “...other schools that can handle these expenses could be doing better things with the money.”

• 1. “For example, since 1980, 95 percent of schools that tried the year-round schedule changed back to a traditional calendar.”

What reason is supported by the author’s evidence that schools spend more money on air conditioning on a year-round schedule? AKS 10,20

• Schools also spend more when they have to pay their teachers to work all year long.

• For students to be able to focus, the temperature cannot be too hot or too cold.

• 1. A year-round school schedule costs a lot more money because it is expensive to keep schools open and running all year long.

• Instead of sitting in an air conditioned classroom during the summer, students should be having fun on vacations.

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“Even though some say that going to school is best, there are numerous downsides to year-round schooling. It has no positive effects on education, adds to costs, and disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation. 

Contrary to the well-accepted belief, year-round schooling has no constructive impact on education.”

Which word below is the BEST synonym (word with nearly the same meaning) for constructive as it is used in the text? Use the surrounding context, especially the italized text. AKS 13

• Unproductive

• Negative

• Clever

• Positive

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5. Which detail from the text states a reason why the author is against a year-round school schedule? AKS 10,20

• “Schools should continue using the traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule"

• “ The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values.”

• 1. ”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”

Go back to paragraph 2 and reread it. How does the writer prove that year-round school does not positively affect students’ learning? AKS 10,20

• The writer states that multiple school breaks disrupt learning and there is no evidence of higher test scores.

• The writer describes how students are more well-rested with more breaks, so they are better able to focus on their learning.

• The writer tells a story about a school system that tried a year-round school calendar and could not afford it.

• The writer cites statistics that show an increase in students’ test scores.

Remember that a fact is something that can be verified or proved. Which following statements express an opinion? AKS 10

• If the American summer is not structured, it's almost too long, and kids get bored

• Some data suggest that year-round school increases retention rates

• According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, 86 percent of public schools in the United States operate on a traditional calendar

• The most popular year-round schedule is what's called a 45-15 plan, in which children attend school for 45 days and then have 3 weeks off.

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What is the author’s purpose in writing this text? AKS 15

• To describe the differences between a traditional and a year-round school calendar

• To argue that a traditional school calendar is better for students and schools than a year-round school calendar

• 2. To tell a story about school and summer vacation

• To summarize the pros and cons of different school calendars

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Which sentence states the counterclaim (the other side of the argument)? AKS 10

• 1. Some say that going to school year-round is best.”

• “There is absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional school year.”

• “With all these factors, the cost of keeping schools open becomes immensely high.”

• “Students don’t have to think about school for at least another 2 ½ months.”

How does the author of “Summer: 15 days or 2 ½ months” support an argument about traditional school calendars? AKS 10,20

• By explaining that experts think students should be exploring their own interests throughout the year

• 1. By stating that summertime is one of best times of the year

• By claiming that students do not benefit academically from a year-round school calendar

• By suggesting parents and teachers would prefer a year-round school calendar