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Cited by 133School Choice and PerformanceEarly Childhood Education and DevelopmentParental Involvement in Education

The Effects of Modified School Calendars on Student Achievement and on School and Community Attitudes

Cooper, Harris, Valentine, Jeffrey C., Charlton, Kelly, Melson, April·2003·Review of Educational Research
DOI 10.3102/00346543073001001
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Abstract

This review synthesizes studies of the effects of modifying the academic calendar in Grades K–12 to do away with the long summer break while not increasing the length of the school year. The synthesis indicated that the quality of evidence on modified calendars is poor. Within this weak inferential framework, the average effect size for 39 school districts was quite small, d = .06, favoring modified calendars. Studies that used statistical or matching controls revealed an effect size of d = . 11. Modified calendars were associated with higher achievement for economically disadvantaged students. Students, parents, and staffs who participated in modified calendar programs were positive about their experiences. Policymakers can improve acceptance of modified calendars by involving communities in the planning and by providing quality inter-session activities.

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Authors
Cooper, H., Valentine, J. C., Charlton, K., & Melson, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Missouri (US)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke (US)
ORCID
Valentine, Jeffrey C.
Venue
Review of Educational Research
Publisher
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Published
2003-03
Volume
73
Issue
1
Pages
1-52
ISSN
  • 0034-6543 (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-1046
DOI
10.3102/00346543073001001
OpenAlex
W2162591217
Semantic Scholar
d4cea2f60a167115b6709e46ca6632102039d2ad
Cited by
133
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 8
FWCI
17.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
Review of Educational Research (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › School Choice and Performance
  • Social Sciences › Education › Early Childhood Education and Development
  • Social Sciences › Education › Parental Involvement in Education
Keywords
summer vacation, academic performance, school year length, low-income students, community attitudes, school attendance, school district policy

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