Extended School Year Extended School Year Year-round education is an inclusive term that has many configurations. A survey of parents was conducted in the spring of 1997 . Over the years studies have focused on learning, retention, and forgetting.
Research shows that students forget at different rates.
Educationally disadvantaged students not only acquire knowledge more slowly, but they tend to lose it more rapidly than educationally advantaged peers. A New York State Board of Regents study found that above-grade level achievers continue to learn during the summer months. This is due primarily to efforts by parents to provide enrichment activities and experiences outside the formal learning environment. On the other hand, educationally disadvantaged students forget more over the summer months when they go home to an often unstimulating environment. Because of the loss of learning that occurs during the summer months, it is necessary to review a great deal of material when the new school year begins.