More Class Time, More Learning

Stretching the school year a few extra days might not seem like a big deal, but it underscores one of the most back-to-basic concepts of them all: The essence of our educational system comes down to what happens in the classroom when teachers teach and students learn. The more minutes they spend together, the better. It’s a concept that has eroded a bit over the past two decades as teacher-training or staff-development days ate into instructional time. While students may have benefited indirectly from their teachers’ continuing education, their own class time was being shortchanged.

This year that could change. The state budget approved earlier this month includes $25 billion for public schools and community colleges, including $195 million to extend the school year to 180 days of instruction.

Since 1983, school districts have been required to schedule a minimum of 180 days but as many as eight of those could be designated staff-training days--no students invited. As 180 days became the standard for teachers but not for students, instructional time dwindled.

The newly allocated money from the state will pay for certified teachers to attend up to three staff development days beyond the 180 days that students are in school; other school employees may receive at least one day of training paid by the state.

Many Ventura County school districts have moved quickly to take advantage of the extra state funding and schedule more days of instruction. The Oxnard Unified School District, which has some of the toughest challenges in the county and a record of innovative efforts to meet them, has already upped its school year to 195 days.

But Ventura Unified plans to wait until next year, requesting a state waiver and staying with its 1998-99 schedule of 175 instructional days and five training days. Negotiations with its teachers union are the reason for the delay.

We challenge the district and its teachers to work together and do what it takes to get this improvement started this year. Teacher training is important, but teachers teaching is the whole point.