Click here to edit. Thanksgiving-It is that time of the year when every teacher feels exhausted, students are barely focused, and everyone is looking for a break. Most of the schools are in sessions for 15 weeks straight with a holiday here and there. This is too long for teachers and students. I am sure any educator will agree that when students are tired they lose focus and learn very little. At the same time, when teachers are tired their classroom performance will be affected. Perhaps it is time to reexamine the trimester system in US schools the way New Zealand did almost 20 years ago.
In late 1990s New Zealand schools used to be in three trimester systems with 15 week in each trimester. Research studies found out that after 10 weeks students and teachers were very tired. Neither students nor teachers were performing efficiently in the last five weeks of the 15 week trimester. With these results, the Department of Education changed the trimester systems to 10 weeks. After every 10 weeks, schools get a two week break. By the time students and teacher felt tired, they got a two week break. After two week break, students and teacher were fully energized to learn and teach simultaneously.
After teaching in 15 week term system and shifting to 10 week term system, I felt that it is most effective trimester system that helps students and teachers to perform at their best. I believe that shorter trimester system is directly connected to better student focus which in turn will help to improve student achievement.
When we have shorter trimester system, it will lead to shorter summer break. Many studies have indicated that longer summer break is not helping students with their academic progress. Research studies indicated that if students do not read, write, or do any academic work, they tend to drop by a grade level. In that case, is it not worth revisiting K-12 trimester system and summer break in US schools?
In late 1990s New Zealand schools used to be in three trimester systems with 15 week in each trimester. Research studies found out that after 10 weeks students and teachers were very tired. Neither students nor teachers were performing efficiently in the last five weeks of the 15 week trimester. With these results, the Department of Education changed the trimester systems to 10 weeks. After every 10 weeks, schools get a two week break. By the time students and teacher felt tired, they got a two week break. After two week break, students and teacher were fully energized to learn and teach simultaneously.
After teaching in 15 week term system and shifting to 10 week term system, I felt that it is most effective trimester system that helps students and teachers to perform at their best. I believe that shorter trimester system is directly connected to better student focus which in turn will help to improve student achievement.
When we have shorter trimester system, it will lead to shorter summer break. Many studies have indicated that longer summer break is not helping students with their academic progress. Research studies indicated that if students do not read, write, or do any academic work, they tend to drop by a grade level. In that case, is it not worth revisiting K-12 trimester system and summer break in US schools?