Cobb schools considers longer days to boost struggling students
Cobb County school board members are considering a longer school day and year as a way to boost student achievement, a much-debated practice embraced by some Georgia schools but rejected by others as government overreach.
The controversial proposal comes as the number of poor and disadvantaged students in Georgia has skyrocketed in recent years, forcing school districts to come up with measures to address the academic needs of these students, who often struggle more compared to their more affluent peers.
The thinking behind a longer school day and year is that it gives students more time to learn core subjects like math and reading, but also enrichment courses like music, art, foreign language, which contributes to more well-rounded students, education experts say.
Board member Susan said the district faces a potential crisis, with its reputation as one of the highest-achieving school systems in Georgia at stake. Cobb school leaders project the district will continue to see enrollment growth, with the biggest increases coming in some of the more poorer-performing schools with a high number of students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches.
Cobb school board members asked at the meeting last month that district staff study the possibility of a longer school day and year. To find out more about what the board is considering, check out Myajc.com
About the Author
