Currently, parent-teacher conference days, half-days and professional development days are counted as part of the 180-day schedule even though students do not receive a full day of instruction. Dr. Bennett's new policy would not count those days as instructional time. Dr. Bennett also said schools would be required to make up schools days missed due to severe weather, instead of being able to apply for a waiver. Two-hour delays would still count toward a full day of student instructional time. However, no more than a week after Dr. Bennett announced his vision for student achievement, House Democrats passed an amendment to block his initiative. The amendment was added to Senate Bill 126, which originally required public schools, charter schools and other accredited nonpublic schools to provide instruction in personal financial responsibility to students in grades 6-12. My House colleagues and I chose not to support Senate Bill 126 because, in its new form, it would send the message that student instructional time takes a back seat to special interests. Rep. Matt Bell (R-Avilla) was a co-sponsor of the bill and was forced to encourage his colleagues to vote against his own bill because of what it had become. The House Democrats took an innovative idea that would increase learning among Hoosier youth and flushed it down the drain. Dr. Bennett's plan was feasible and it should have been considered. The sole purpose was not to dismiss parent teacher conferences, professional development or to create problems for parents; it was for Hoosier students to get more education out of the money spent on learning. The majority of schools, specifically in our community, already run on 180+ day school year so the plan would not have a negative effect. There have been numerous examples linking student achievement to increased instructional time. Currently, students across the globe receive up to 240 days of instructional time per year and outperform U.S. students academically. In 2007, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, a subdivision of the U.S. Department of Education, measured mathematics and science knowledge and skills of fourth-and eighth-graders across the world. Fourth-and eighth-graders in the U.S. were outscored in both math and science by countries all with longer school calendar years. If Indiana wants to continue to compete on a global scale, we must not falter from giving Hoosier youth every opportunity to achieve. The challenges of the 21st century demand more time in the classroom. Indiana has great teachers, so why not provide them with every opportunity to teach? The following is the breakdown of teacher contract days of schools in House District 38: Clinton Prairie Schools: 182 days Frankfort Community Schools: 183 days Rossville Schools: 184 days Sheridan Community Schools: 184 days Western Boone Community Schools: 183 days Westfield Schools: 184 days Clearly, schools understand how to include 180 instructional days plus time for parent-teacher conferences and professional development without adding days to teacher contracts. I encourage constituents to stay tuned to what happens as the session winds down. I am sure it will get more and more interesting. Please contact me by e-mail at h38@in.gov, by calling toll-free at 1-800-382-9841 or by writing me at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
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