The Columbus Municipal School District”s board of trustees is expected to vote tonight to decide whether to extend students” school year for a full 11 months.
The plan would require students to attend classes 181 days a year with 18 days specified as “Success Academy” days. The additional days would be set aside for students who required remediation in the subjects in which they did not achieve at least the minimum scores for state-mandated tests. Students who achieved proficient or advanced on the tests would not be required to attend the additional 18 days, but enrichment programs would be provided should they attend the Success Academy days. The programs often would expand on the CMSD magnet school themes — fine arts, aerospace, medical sciences and wellness, international studies or technology and communication.
CMSD Superintendent Dr. Del Phillips made the proposal in March.
The plan would be funded via a federal stimulus package called Title 1 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
If the plan is approved, the new calendar will take effect in August for grades kindergarten through four and in the following school year for grades kindergarten through five. Individual schools also will be able to decide whether or not to adopt the new schedule.
Following the new calendar, which Phillips said would save parents on daycare costs, means teachers and students are off the entire month of July.
Under the proposal, teachers working additional days would be paid by stipend.
The CMSD board will meet at the Columbus Municipal Complex at 6 p.m.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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