Year-Round School Pilot Program In Place

A Michigan House committee has approved a measure to make it easier for at-risk school districts to offer year-round classes. Year round classes have been allowed in Michigan for years, but this pilot program would create a ten-million dollar fund for poor districts to tap into, for air conditioning and other retro-fitting to make buildings comfortable for students in the summertime. House Democrat Andy Schor of Lansing says often, teachers have to spend a month or more in the fall to refresh memories or re-teach students, but if the 175-day school calender was spread out throughout the whole year, it will make learning easier. He says it’s especially important for poor, low risk districts, where families can’t afford summer programs for their children. The bill now goes to the full house.