Ensure 180 days or more of school

The Detroit News is highlighting ideas from various groups to promote discussion on reform, restructuring government and the economy.

Ensure 180 days or more of school

Idea 31: Lengthen the school year or ensure districts, at a minimum, provide 180 days of instruction.

Why: A Center for Michigan study found that 98 percent of Michigan public schools held fewer than 180 days of classes in 2007-08. One-hundred-eighty days is the standard in at least 32 states. Even at 180 days, the American school system lags most of the industrialized world. As it is, because of snow days and other cancellations, many Michigan districts are not meeting the state's target of 1,098 hours of instruction per year (its watered-down replacement for 180 days). The average was 1,066 hours last year across 600 high schools. On average, cancellations (not made up) amount to about a week of lost instruction at each high school. A shorter school year also means that teacher absences have a more severe impact on student learning.

Benefit: Students and teachers get more time to cover more subject matter. It helps Michigan students keep up with counterparts in other states and other countries, which average from 190 to 225 days of school and have higher school test scores on international comparisons.

How: Change state law to require at least 180 days in school or more.

Obstacle: Education officials argue they are making up for shorter school years with longer school days, which helps them save money. Administrators lack the political and economic will to schedule more school days on their own. Teacher and school staff unions insist they receive higher pay if they have to work more days. And the tourism industry doesn't like schools cutting into their summer business.

Source: Center for Michigan