The MCPS Board of Education (BOE) stands at a pivotal crossroads in shaping the future of the classroom for its students. As students’ academic and personal needs evolve, so must the system designed to support them. The traditional MCPS school schedule must adapt to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. This is where the innovative school schedule comes in: it challenges traditional schedules by replacing the long summer break with shorter, more frequent breaks.
This innovative school schedule enables underprivileged students to stay ahead despite lacking access to summer enrichment opportunities. Adopting an innovative school schedule will allow MCPS to actively address the shortcomings of the traditional schedule by promoting equity, retention and a more supportive learning environment.
The term “Summer Slide” refers to students’ tendency to lose grasp of the academic skills learned over the school year due to the lengthy summer break. To combat this, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) introduced pilot programs such as Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) and the Summer Title I Enrichment Program (STEP) in 2017 across select MCPS schools to simulate an innovative school schedule and assess its effectiveness.
These five-week initiatives provide approximately 75 additional instructional hours in mathematics, English language arts and science. They aim to mitigate learning loss and better prepare students for the upcoming school year. According to the MSDE’s 2017 report, students participating in these programs demonstrated measurable improvements in reading and math scores, showcasing the effectiveness of extended learning time in reducing summer learning loss.
Extending school hours is important in promoting equitable access to education by addressing and helping combat the disparities that underprivileged students face. Students from low-income families often fall behind their peers because they lack access to summer enrichment programs, tutoring or other resources that their peers use, usually leading to significant learning gaps among socioeconomic groups within schools.
By incorporating additional school days through an innovative school calendar, all students can reap the benefits of a structured environment and access a consistent, quality education. If implemented, this approach can narrow the learning gaps between students of diverse backgrounds, ensuring that students who rely on school for academic support, meals and resources are not left behind.
Extended school hours combined with shorter and more frequent breaks have proven to significantly improve student mental health by reducing stress and burnout. Throughout MSDE’s pilot programs, they determined that students with shorter breaks reported higher engagement and lower levels of fatigue compared to those on traditional calendars. Based on these studies, analysts proved that consistent engagement in structured learning environments provides stability, fostering a routine beneficial for students prone to anxiety.
Although students make up well over 80 percent of those associated with the school system in MCPS, teachers, administrators and other staff also need to be considered when deciding to change the school schedule. Their well-being, professional development and ability to orchestrate the classroom are critical to the success of their students. MCPS’s innovative school schedules incorporate additional professional development days that enable educators to refine their teaching strategies and stay updated with the best practices. According to MSDE’s 2017 report, teachers in schools with innovative schedules reported greater satisfaction with professional growth opportunities. Investing in teacher growth can foster a more impactful learning environment for all students.
While one may argue that implementing an innovative school schedule may disrupt family routines and create challenges for childcare, the long-term benefits far outweigh these initial adjustments. By prioritizing consistent learning and equitable access to resources, the innovative calendar addresses critical issues like the summer slide and achievement gaps. In today’s fast-paced world, education must evolve to meet student needs and the innovative schedule offers a proven, forward-thinking approach to foster academic success and well-being.
Adopting the innovative school schedule offers numerous benefits including mitigating the summer’s academic regression, providing equitable access to education, enhancing student well-being and providing valuable professional development opportunities for teachers. By implementing these changes, MCPS can address the shortcomings of the outdated traditional schedule and create a system that better meets everyone’s needs. MCPS’ BOEn must act to implement this schedule system-wide, ensuring a brighter future for students and educators alike. Now is the time to embrace progress and reimagine education for lasting success.
