The United States has a long and proud history of providing public education for the children of its citizens. The fundamental idea behind the creation of this education system was that it should be accessible to everyone, regardless of geographic location or family situation. At the time this initiative was launched, many American families lived and worked on farms, and children were an essential part of this lifestyle. The founders of America's public schools had to create a plan that included all children, even those who were expected to do farm work during harvest season. Thus, the nine-month school calendar was introduced, allowing farmers' children to benefit from a three-month school break in summer to help their families with crop yields. Over time, youth participation in agriculture has become outdated and obsolete, and this arrangement has gone from being a necessity to being a mere tradition carried on over the years. In our modern age, a year-round school calendar would benefit America's teachers, students, and public school finances. Teachers would primarily benefit from implementing year-round school through additional income opportunities. In a year-round system, several “tracks” are established, so that students and teachers in each track alternate between vacation periods and school time. Teachers on vacation constitute a pool of substitute teachers. The advantage for the teacher is the possibility of earning money beyond what is stipulated in the contract (Quinlan, 71). This is a revolutionary way for teachers to have both a full-time teaching career and a way to earn needed money on the side. In a nine-month schedule, educators are unlikely to actively earn money teaching during summer vacation...... middle of paper ...... even more savings for the school and the taxpayers. The founders of the American public school system dreamed that all young Americans would have the opportunity to attend school in the best way possible for their time. Today's educational leaders must embrace the same mission: to provide the best school system imaginable for our modern age. Year-round education is the solution to many of the problems plaguing teachers, students, and school budgets. Works Cited Mutchler, Sue E. “Year-Round Education” SEDL Insights Pg. 3-6 (1993). Print.United States. California State Department of Education, Los Angeles. Year-round education: year-round opportunities. A study of year-round education in California. By Claire Quinlan. P. 43, 71-72Sacramento, California: Publications Sales, California State Department of Education, 1987. Print.