Education

ARLINGTON, Va. — While it's the start of the school year for most U.S. students, children at Barcroft Elementary have been at their desks for nearly a month — and they're fine with that.

The suburban Washington school is among 3,000 across the nation that have tossed aside the traditional calendar for one with a shorter summer break and more time off during the rest of the year. The goal: preventing kids from forgetting what they have learned.

You may not be aware, but the reason we have summer vacation is because it's hot in the summer, obviously, and also so that students could take some time off to help around the farm. With a mostly urban population and air conditioning, summer vacations, then, are somewhat obsolete.

This doesn't mean that we need more school. That's the last thing we should impose on kids who need more time having fun, learning what they want to learn, and connecting with parents. Dividing up the school year isn't a bad idea. It won't solve any problems, but it won't hurt, either.