Virginia Audit Finds No Little Difference In Year-Round Schools' Scores

The Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch (10/11, Meola) reports that a review of year-round schools conducted by Virginia's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission "finds that some student groups were more likely to improve their standardized test scores in certain subjects at year-round schools than their peers at schools with a traditional calendar. That said, there was 'no appreciable difference' in Standards of Learning test scores of the student body generally at year-round schools compared with traditional schools. ... In Virginia, nine elementary schools in five districts employ a year-round school calendar, which typically means school begins earlier and includes shorter breaks or 'intersessions' during which students can receive enrichment or remediation."