Vanves, France Study. The popular 1950 Vanves study of a Paris suburb elementary school has not been published in an English professional journal but is cited by various authors including Shephard (1997). This study’s sample was unique in that the entire experimental group came from one school and the control group was other schools in the area. The experimental school implemented an enhanced curriculum which included longer school days allowing for more free (siesta) time, recreation, and athletic activities and 26% less academic teaching than the control schools (Figure 5).

The academic performance of the students were compared through a Certificate of Study test and results did not show an academic difference despite the 26% curtail of academic instruction in the experimental school. Additionally, the experimental school was reported to have more calm and attentive students with less disciplinary problems and less sick/absence days (Shephard, 1987).

By Leslee Scheuer, Tech Impact Grant Coordinator, University of Central Florida, 2003/2004