So, I read this Washington Post article, (h.t. NRO) about the antiquated summer vacation in the American education system. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/11/AR2006071100871.html?sub=AR

His basic premise is that the current schedule of taking off the summer was designed in the mid-19th century and doesn't reflect the realities and needs of today's students and families. There is certainly some truth to that. According to the research, inner city and minority students are the least well-served by the current situation. He is also careful to note that any changes to the system should be made locally, not nationally. Of course, all the usual suspects are implicated in why a change will not be immediately forthcoming.

As a stay-at-home parent, the summer recess doesn't negatively effect me in the way it does families with two full-time working parents. The child care conundrum is a big problem for some people. But what does effect most students is the brain-drain of the summer break. It's generally understood that nearly the entire first trimester of the school year is devoted to reviewing that material the students ostensibly learned the previous year but forgot over the summer. This seems like a colossal waste of time. Of course, my children would take legal action to divorce themselves from me if I were to even suggest the elimination of summer vacation. I attempt to prevent the brain drain by encouraging them to read books and do some math worksheets but I hate to be the wet blanket that interrupts their Nintendo DS playing and Cartoon Network watching.

Personally, I think that if there wasn't already so much invested in the idea of a long summer recess, the better solution would be a shorter summer break (maybe six weeks) with longer inter-semester breaks throughout the school year. Having a longer break between semesters or trimesters, say three weeks, would give students a nice break in the middle of the school year and families a chance to take vacations at different times of the year. It would also limit the summer brain drain and make learning a year-round endeavor. It may even give two-income families more options when it comes to child care (such as parents alternating weeks off to be home with their kids).

It's just a thought, and not an original one, I know. But far be it from me to take on the Teachers' Unions, 150 years of educational history, and my kids in one fell swoop.