States,+districts+consider+Four-Day+School+Weeks

= Bill allows SC schools to alter school hours = = By SEANNA ADCOX - Associated Press = =// Published in the Sun News //= =// 5/3/11 //=

= = =COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina school districts could get creative with school hours under a bill that some legislators fear could usher in a four-day school week.= =The measure would change the state's 180-day requirement for classroom time into the equivalent number of hours. Supporters say it gives districts more flexibility.= =The proposal would allow schools to tack some time onto school days, allowing them to shave some days off the school calendar and still meet the required hours students must be in class. It translates to a mandatory 1,170 hours in high school and 1,080 hours in elementary and middle schools.= = = > =As the incoming and outgoing S.C. education superintendents debate whether the state's failure to land $143 million in federal bailout money will impede future learning, Horry and Georgetown education leaders agree that securing the funds could provide at least temporary safeguards.= =Schools within a district could operate on separate calendars.= ="It's another flexibility tool," the main sponsor, Rep. Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort, said Tuesday. "One size does not fit all - even within a district."= =The preschool owner said she's not advocating a four-day school week, but says local officials should be able to make those decisions. She said she envisions schools adding a half-hour or so to the day to accrue time for longer holidays or mid-year breaks.= ="I would like to think they'd be more creative than a four-day week," she said.= =The House approved the bill 90-3 last Thursday. It requires another vote before heading to the Senate. That perfunctory vote is expected this week.= =State Superintendent Mick Zais supports the measure, and notes it's not a mandate.= ="It strengthens local control while maintaining the same amount of instructional time currently required by law," said his spokesman, Jay Ragley.= =At Zais' request, the measure would also convert teachers' 10 required in-service days to hours, so that professional development could be done in online classes and from home if desired, Ragley said.= =But Rep. Joe Neal said the bill moves South Carolina in the wrong direction. Students need more instructional time, not fewer days, he said.= ="We need to ensure all of our children are receiving as much education as we can. We all know children are having trouble as we speak retaining information, particularly over long period of absence," said Neal, D-Hopkins.= =Some districts might use the flexibility as a way to cut expenses, for example, by paying for fewer days of bus operations, said Scott Price with the state School Boards Association.= ="We're fine with it as additional flexibility districts may use or not use," he said.= =The idea of a four-day school week was bantered about over the last two years as educators tried to cope with state budget cuts amid the Great Recession. Which districts, if any, would pursue the option is unknown.= =Neal said the bill takes pressure off of legislators to adequately fund schools.= ="It's a cop out," he said.= =His objection to the bill prevented it from getting an automatic third reading in the House last Friday, meaning it missed a crossover deadline and likely won't get taken up in the Senate this year.= =The bill does not touch state law that bars districts from starting class before the third Monday in August.= =Legislators approved that mandate in 2006, at the urging of coastal tourism officials and parents who wanted more summertime with their kids.= = = = = =Similar stories:= > ===== =Bill would let S.C. schools set hours= > =South Carolina school districts could get creative with school hours under a bill that some legislators fear could usher in a four-day school week.= > ===== =NC schools seek grace on year-end due to weather= > =Lawmakers and the state school board began grappling Wednesday with how to squeeze a school year shortened by bad weather into a calendar that requires a 10-week summer vacation, a problem they have to deal with every few years.= > ===== =The Carolinas | Measure to centralize tasks on hold= > =S.C. legislators put on hold Wednesday measures that would require school districts to centralize some administrative tasks and use stock architectural plans for construction, but a sponsor of both bills said he succeeded in getting discussion started.= > ===== =Bill would direct SC districts to consolidate work= > =South Carolina legislators put on hold Wednesday measures that would require school districts to centralize some administrative tasks and use stock architectural plans for construction, but a sponsor of both bills said he succeeded in getting discussion started.= > ===== =Bailout funds for S.C. schools a sore spot=
 * =[| Bill would let S.C. schools set hours >] === =
 * =[| NC schools seek grace on year-end due to weather >] === =
 * =[| The Carolinas | Measure to centralize tasks on hold >] === =
 * =[| Bill would direct SC districts to consolidate work >] === =
 * =[| Bailout funds for S.C. schools a sore spot >] === =

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