Some at-risk schools in Michigan could soon get more state funding if they agree to go year-round. A state House panel heard testimony on the idea Tuesday.
In his budget address this month, Gov. Rick Snyder called for a state pilot program to encourage year-round schooling. School districts could get money to add air conditioning and other upgrades to old buildings so they could operate during the summer.
Supporters of the measure say students lose a lot of what they learn during the school year after long summer breaks.
“Then they come back in September and the teachers have to reeducate them through September, and even into October,” said state Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing, who is sponsoring a similar bill. “You could have 30 and even up to 60 of the 180 days of kids relearning what they should already know.”
Schor says schools in low-income areas of the state are more affected by that trend because they can’t afford summer education programs.
The schools would still have the same number of school days, they would just be spread out more throughout the school year.
