Exploring the Differences Between Full-Year and Semestered Systems in Education
Delve into the evolution of full-year and semestered educational systems, the reasons for potential changes, and the impact on student learning and well-being. Understand the structure, schedule, and outcomes of both systems to support informed decision-making in education.
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FULL YEAR OR SEMESTERED
HAS THE DECISION ALREADY BEEN MADE? NO
HOW WILL THE DECISION BE MADE? STEP 1 STAFF INPUT (DONE) STEP 2 STUDENT AND PARENT INPUT (NOW) STEP 3 DISCUSSION WITH TRUSTEE/SUPERINTENDENT DECISION TO CHANGE WOULD NEED STRONG SUPPORT. IF WE DECIDE TO CHANGE o APPROVAL BY BOARD o DEVELOP THE DETAILS OF HOW IT WOULD LOOK AT RCI o ESTABLISH IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND TIMELINE
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? OVER THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN ASKED ABOUT THIS SOME ISSUES OF PROGRAM AND OPPORTUNITY 90% OF SCHOOLS IN ONTARIO STUDENTS LOSING A YEAR TO CATCH-UP NOW NEW APPROACH TO EQUITY AND SUPPORT NOTED INCREASE IN REPORTED ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, EATING DISORDERS, ETC SEEMS AN INCREASE FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY IN MAY/JUNE
WHY TWO SYSTEMS? 50+ YEARS AGO o COLLEGIATES =FULL YEAR AND NON-COLLEGIATES = TERM SCHOOLS o UNIVERSITIES RAN ON THE FULL YEAR SYSTEM o COLLEGIATES LED TO UNIVERSITY; NON-COLLEGIATES TO WORK OR TRADES 1980s o o MANY SCHOOLS SWITCHED TO SEMESTERED FLEXIBILITY OF PROGRAM COST ALMOST ALL SCHOOLS BECAME COLLEGIATES 2010s o MOST UNIVERSITIES ARE SEMESTERED o MOST SCHOOLS ARE SEMESTERED
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE FULL YEAR OUR CURRENT SYSTEM STUDENTS TAKE UP TO 8 COURSES A YEAR EACH CLASS MEETS ABOUT 90 TIMES A YEAR EACH CLASS IS 70 MINUTES LONG 8 CLASSES ON ALTERNATING DAYS FROM SEPT. TO JUNE IN MAY AND JUNE STUDENTS COMPLETE EXAMS OR CULMINATING ACTIVITIES FOR 8 COURSES WHICH COVER THE ENTIRE COURSE MATERIAL(10 EXAM DAYS) THERE ARE 4 REPORT CARDS (NOV., FEB., APRIL, JUNE)
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE SEMESTERED SYSTEM STUDENTS TAKE UP TO 8 COURSES A YEAR EACH CLASS MEETS ABOUT 90 TIMES A YEAR EACH CLASS IS 70 MINUTES LONG 4 CLASSES EVERY DAY FROM SEPT. TO JANUARY IN JANUARY STUDENTS COMPLETE EXAMS OR CULMINATING ACTIVITIES FOR 4 COURSES WHICH COVER THE ENTIRE COURSE MATERIAL(5 EXAM DAYS) 4 CLASSES EVERY DAY FROM JAN. TO JUNE IN JUNE STUDENTS COMPLETE EXAMS OR CULMINATING ACTIVITIES FOR 4 COURSES WHICH COVER THE ENTIRE COURSE MATERIAL(5 EXAM DAYS) THERE ARE 4 REPORT CARDS (NOV., FEB., APRIL, JUNE)
WHICH IS BETTER? THERE IS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT ONE SYSTEM IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER o WE D ALL SWITCH! VERY LITTLE RECENT RESEARCH INTO COMPARING THE TWO SYSTEMS o COMPARES LONGER TO SHORTER PERIOD PER DAY o ANECDOTAL RESEARCH BASED ON PREFERENCE
WHY ARE SOME SCHOOLS SWITCHING? STUDENT PROGRAM OPTIONS: MOST SCHOOLS IN TDSB ARE SEMESTERED SOME SCHOOL BOARDS DO NOT HAVE FULL YEAR SCHOOLS STUDENTS CAN DOUBLE-UP ON A COURSE o RECOVERY (e.g. FAIL MATH = TWO GRADES IN ONE YEAR) o PROGRAM CHANGE (e.g. DECIDE TO TAKE CHEM DURING GRADE 11)
WHY ARE SOME SCHOOLS SWITCHING? STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH: CURRENT MINISTRY POLICY REQUIRES 30% AT END STUDENTS COMPLETE 8* EVALUATIONS WHICH COVER 10 MONTHS vs. 4* EVALUATIONS WHICH COVER 5 MONTHS TWICE.
BENEFITS TO SEMESTERING Focus on 4 courses at once Easier to organize and prioritize Fewer exams/culminatings at once Exams cover 5 months material Better for COOP Program Fresh start in February Can repeat/double up courses
BENEFITS TO FULL YEAR Continuity over the full year with teachers Longer time for growth, learning Better for Art and Music Programs Full year activity in Phys. Ed. Full year support for Special Ed in GLE More potential for cross curricular projects More time for students to catch-up if they miss classes
FAQs If I have Math in Sem. 1 one year and Sem. 2 the next, won t I forget everything? o Research shows that the loss of knowledge and skills takes place with any gap of 4 to 5 weeks. Referred to as summer loss . Do students from one system do better in post- secondary? o There is no evidence to say one system is better than the other in terms of outcomes. Does this mean universities will use my Grade 11 marks for admission? o University admissions are based on Grade 12 marks only.
HOW WILL WE GIVE INPUT? ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 29THDURING HOMEFORM: WHICH SYSTEM DO THINK IS BEST FOR RIVERDALE: o FULL YEAR ___ o SEMESTERED ___ o NO PREFERENCE ___
