Lawmakers Propose Shorter School Year

Some Arizona lawmakers want to shorten the school year by 10 days. But it would keep kids in class longer.

The East Valley Tribune reports that Sen. Rich Crandall of Mesa and Rep. Doris Goodale of Kingman believe that giving schools more flexibility with their school years might help them cope with funding cutbacks.

The plan would expand how schools can use the money they now get in donations. Current law limits the funding to extracurricular activities.The proposal would allow districts to spend anything they get on supplies and other one time expenses.

Opponents say attention spans would wane if kids are in class longer. They also say that some school districts would pay teachers less based on fewer working days, even though the days would be longer.