Los Angeles Unified’s board members on Tuesday approved a 180-day school year for 2014-15, postponing for at least a year member Mónica García’s proposal to extend the school year to 200 days.
“Extending the school year was not discussed at yesterday’s meeting,” said Daryl Strickland, a spokesman for the district.
The vote for the 180-day school year was 5-1, with member Mónica Ratliff dissenting.
The idea of a longer school year in the future is still on the table, “just not for next year,” said Lizette Patrón communications deputy for García.
The proposal to extend the school year by 20 extra days was estimated to cost the district about $300 million a year.
Proponents of extra time in school – whether in after-school programs or with a longer school year – see more time as a way to improve student academic performance, as long as districts develop specific plans for how the extra hours will be used to enhance learning.
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