The story

As students head back to class across the United States, educators are weighing the benefits of a longer school year, which has been tried in several districts with mixed results.

Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington County, Virginia, has had a year-round schedule since 2003. Although students have not seen an increase in test scores, Principal Miriam Hughey-Guy believes it is the right program because it cuts summer learning loss.

When the students come back in August, there is less assessment time, according to Hughey-Guy.

"They just left us so we can pick up the ball and run with it," she said. See details on K-12 schools, teachers

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is pushing for the idea. Read full article »

All About Education Issues