Boston School Committee Approves Additional 40 Minutes to School Day
The Boston School Committee voted Wednesday night to extend the school day by 40 minutes in 60 public schools. The 5-1 vote is the final step solidifying the agreement made between Mayor Marty Walsh, the Boston Public Schools, and the Boston Teachers Union, after the teachers voted to support the proposal earlier this month.
The additional time will be phased in by smaller groups of the selected schools over the next three years. The first round of approximately 20 schools to lengthen their days will be named soon and begin next fall, according to Boston Public Schools.
School and union officials hope the extra time will increase the academic performance of students and thus the school system’s overall achievement.
Currently the state analyzes schools every two years to determine progress levels.
Several Boston schools rank in the bottom 20 percent in statewide MCAS scores. Schools found to be frequently underperforming could be subject to staffing and administration changes.
“The extra 40 minutes will mean more time for academic learning, more time for enrichment opportunities, and more time for added supports for struggling students,’’ said Walsh.
This change will affect more than 23,000 elementary and middle school students. The city high schools are not included, because they already have longer days. According to Denise Snyder, Boston Public School’s director of welcome services, the average high school day is six and a half hours or longer, whereas the traditional elementary school day is six hours, and a middle school day is six hours and ten minutes.
John McDonough, interim superintendent, supported passing the proposal, saying in a statement that the change is in the best interest of these students. Member Meg Campbell cast a dissenting vote, telling The Boston Globe that she had concerns about funding in light of a potential budgeting shortfall next school year.
An extra 40 minutes per day would cost an additional $12.5 million and increase teacher salaries with a stipend of $4,464.
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