Question

laim: Attending school year round will increase students’ retention of material.

Counterclaim: Studies have not proven academic benefits of year-round school.

Which statement would be most effective in a rebuttal to the counterclaim?

Test scores aren’t the only way to measure improvement; year-round school also boosts morale.
Scientists can’t see the benefits of year-round school because their surveys aren’t sophisticated.
Year-round school is the only path forward if we care about our students’ futures.
On second thought, the opposing side makes a strong case against year-round school.

Answer 1

"Test scores aren’t the only way to measure improvement; year-round school also boosts morale."

Reason: it directly counters the counterclaim by broadening what counts as "benefit" (learning retention, reduced summer loss, student engagement and morale), rather than attacking researchers or conceding the point.