Shortened school year shortchanges students, report says

11-01-2011

By Theresa Harrington/Contra Costa Times

Student test scores drop when school years are shortened, especially among low-income students and English language learners, according to a report released Monday by Education Trust-West and several advocacy organizations. Yet, the California Legislature decided in 2009 to allow school districts to shorten the year by five days -- from 180 to 175 days -- due to budget cuts. If state revenues fail to meet projections this year, schools could cut another seven days as part of a trigger authorized under the state budget. This could result in some districts shortening the year to 168 days, which would be one of the shortest school years in the country and would be 75 days shorter than the school year in Japan, which has the longest academic year. In the United States, the average is 180 days. (more...)

Also: Los Angeles Times

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Shortened school year shortchanges students, report says

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