Administrators Back Longer School Year

Leaders of the American Assn. of School Administrators called Thursday for a longer public school year and for open enrollment policies that would allow parents to switch schools on a space-available basis.

The 18,000-member group urged public educators to adopt the changes, which would include adding four weeks to the school year so that children would be in class 200 days instead of the current 180.

The association’s executive committee released a 26-plank position paper on the eve of its annual convention in New Orleans.

The organization, composed largely of superintendents and central school office executives, also came out in favor of merit pay for teachers and for a national teacher certification board. It said the national board should be “composed of teachers, administrators and other educational leaders with no group in the majority.”

On the longer school year, the group said: “The present, traditional school year is based on an agrarian model that may or may not be relevant to the needs of individual communities.” Schools used to shut down in the summers because children were needed to help bring in crops.

The group also called for studies of the possible impact a longer school year would have on students’ learning.

On parental choice, the group said: “Depending on local situations, school systems are encouraged to consider the benefits of open enrollment within the public schools provided space is available and the approach does not interfere with desegregation.” Choices could include magnet and specialty schools, it said.

Governors Endorse Idea

The National Governors Assn. last summer endorsed the idea of giving parents more choice within public education. Several states, including Colorado, Minnesota and Iowa, have taken steps to give parents more choice.

Education Secretary William J. Bennett has been a staunch advocate of choice and competition among public schools. He also favors using vouchers and tax breaks to help parents pay for private schools, an idea opposed by the school administrators and other public school lobbies.

On another issue, the school administrators opposed “blanket drug testing (of students) without probable cause.” If a district wants to test bus drivers or other employees in sensitive jobs, “a rationale for testing should be carefully developed,” the group said.