Takasugi Backs Plan to Extend School Year

A pilot plan to extend the academic year at Oxnard’s high schools by 15 days inched closer to implementation Tuesday when it received the endorsement of a key legislator, school officials said.

Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard) introduced a bill Tuesday that would implement the plan, which has strong backing from Oxnard High School Supt. Bill Studt.

“We are very excited about it,” Studt said. “This is the first big step.”

Under the bill, all of the district’s students would attend schools for 195 days--instead of the current 180 days--for the next three years. Their progress would be monitored to determine whether the added class time improves academic achievements, Studt said.

Supporters of the plan argue that students in other industrialized countries receive a better education than their American counterparts because their school year is longer. Students in Germany have 240 days of instruction each year and students in Japan 243.

“This pilot program will give California a priceless look into the effectiveness of a longer school year,” Takasugi said. “People say no proof exists that a longer school year is effective. Well, this will tell. And I, for one, think that the rest of the world might be on the right track.”

Several community groups, including the Ventura County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Tri-County Central Labor Council and the Ventura County Economic Development Assn., have expressed support for the proposal, Studt said.

“The hard work starts now in terms of selling the plan in Sacramento,” Studt said.