Year-round schools offer a wide enough variety of scheduling options and educational benefits that all districts should consider adopting a locally appropriate year-round format. The traditional 9-month school year is based not on educational considerations but on the economic conditions that prevailed in preindustrial society--conditions that no longer affect most schools. Three basic types of year-round schools can be distinguished: multitrack schools that accommodate larger numbers of students than traditional programs, schools using single-track programs, and schools that have adopted extended school years by increasing the number of days students attend. In addition to permitting greater flexibility in handling enrollment cycles, year-round scheduling permits more effective use of teaching staffs. Increases in teachers' work years can justify salary increases, but it is not necessary for the additional time to go solely into instruction. Professional development and administrative duties can also be accommodated, providing refreshing variety in the teacher's work. Year-round scheduling has been found particularly beneficial for students ranking in the lower 50 percentiles academically as well, particularly since time away from formal instruction is reduced, yet the studies do not show that other students are hurt. (PGD)