In recent years, Kansas students have experienced a reduction in the number of school days, raising concerns about potential learning gaps.
To address this issue, Education Commissioner Randy Watson is advocating for measures to increase instructional time.
Current School Year Challenges
This winter, many Kansas school districts faced significant disruptions due to inclement weather, leading to an average loss of eight school days.
Commissioner Watson emphasizes the importance of recuperating this lost instructional time to ensure students’ academic progress.
Proposed Solutions
To mitigate the impact of these lost days, Commissioner Watson recommends the following strategies:
- Adjusting Academic Calendars: Schools could consider canceling scheduled breaks or extending the school year to make up for the lost days.
- Implementing Summer Programs: Introducing half-day summer sessions in June and July, particularly for kindergarten through third-grade students who are below grade level in reading or math, to provide targeted support.
Legal Framework
Kansas law mandates a minimum of 186 school days or 1,116 instructional hours per academic year. However, the Kansas State Board of Education has the authority to grant waivers under exceptional circumstances, such as prolonged inclement weather.
Commissioner Watson advises that waivers should be a last resort, suggesting that districts first explore options like adjusting the academic calendar or offering additional instructional time.
Trends in Instructional Time
Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable decline in the average number of school days in Kansas:
| Year | Average School Days |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 174 |
| 2025 | 166 |
Some districts, especially those operating on a four-day week, currently offer as few as 141 school days. To compensate, many have extended daily hours, adding approximately 21 minutes to the school day.
However, Commissioner Watson suggests that adding full days may be more beneficial than extending daily hours.
Focus on Early Education
Addressing learning loss is particularly critical for younger students. Commissioner Watson proposes that summer programs focus on early education, offering half-day sessions from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, during June and July.
This approach aims to provide 48 to 49 additional hours of instruction, significantly aiding students who are struggling academically.
Financial Considerations
To support these initiatives, districts can utilize funding sources such as special education funds or state at-risk funds. While some districts have previously expanded summer programs using federal COVID-19 relief funds, participation rates were lower than expected.
For example, in 2021, Wichita Public Schools invited approximately 21,500 students to summer programs but saw only 4,600 enrollments.
Cultural Shift Towards Academics
Commissioner Watson emphasizes the need for a cultural shift that places a higher value on academic achievement, similar to the emphasis often placed on extracurricular activities like sports.
He advocates for a community-wide effort to prioritize academics, ensuring that students receive the necessary support and resources to succeed.
In light of recent disruptions and ongoing challenges, extending the school year and enhancing instructional time are pivotal steps toward addressing learning loss in Kansas.
By implementing these measures, the state aims to provide all students with the opportunities and support they need to achieve academic success.