The BC Ministry of Education recently provided some flexibility in how school districts choose to organize their school calendars . British Columbia school districts currently follow a traditional school calendar with students attending school for approximately 190 days, most with a two-week break in the winter and spring and two months off during the spring months. summer. “This model was very practical when the school calendar was designed to meet the needs of children in an agricultural economy” (quoted in Webb 5), and can be “described by some as outdated and irrelevant in today's society » (Winter 401). A balanced school calendar, also called a modified school year and year-round school, would maintain the same number of instructional days, but also distribute recess throughout the year. The literature and research available on the balanced school year is primarily American, with some Canadian sources. This research indicates that proponents of this type of scheduling see many benefits, but the most strongly supported by evidence is the reduction in summer learning loss experienced by students, particularly for ESL ( ALS) and low-income students. For those who oppose a balanced school year, some believe that summer learning loss does not exist and others strongly argue that changing the school calendar is only justified with evidence of an improvement in the academic results of students. Vancouver school board plans to implement calendar change; In a June 2010 memorandum sent for review, "Balanced School Calendars: Pros and Cons" by Superintendent of Schools Steve Cardwell, the report's summary states that "the ever-changing composition and needs of this district's students mean that it is reasonable..... .middle of paper ......ion. Internet. November 5, 2011. Kail, Robert and Zolner, Teresa. Children: a chronological approach. Toronto: PearsonCanada Inc., 2012. Print. Marin, Christine. “Re: A moment of your time. » Message to the author. November 21, 2011. Email. Miele, Justine. “Closing the Achievement Gap: Education Reform and the Summer Slide.” » NdLoyola University Chicago: Children's Law and Education Institute Forum. Internet. November 25, 2011. Schulte, Brigid. "Putting the brakes on the 'Summer Slide'." Education collection. 75:4 (2009):17-22. Premier Academic Research. Internet. November 25, 2011. Webb, Taylor Dr. “Teacher Well-Being in Year-Round Schools.” » April 2009. School District 36.Web. November 21, 2011. Winter, Eileen. “A modified school year: Early childhood perspectives.” Child in practice. 11:4 (2005):399-414. Premier Academic Research. Internet. November 18. 2011.