Lawmakers want to reward school districts for keeping students in class longer.

Alabama House Bill 333, set to be discussed and possibly voted on in the Alabama House Education Policy Committee today, would establish the Alabama Modified School Calendar Grant Program. Under the terms of the program, districts that extend their school year by 30 days would receive additional state funding.

Proponents of the bill argue that more time in class and less time on the couch during the summer months will help slow learning loss. A longer school year, officials said, would also benefit families that struggle to find or afford summer daycare. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville.
Baldwin County School Superintendent Eddie Tyler said the district does not comment on pending legislation.

"We are concerned about how bills like these will affect local education decisions, but we have no position at this time and will continue monitoring," he said.

Rep. Alan Baker, who represents State House District 66 in Central Baldwin County said part of the intent of the bill is to give students time off throughout the school year that would be equal to the time given during traditional summer vacation.

Baker, the most senior member of Baldwin County's state legislative delegation, said he has not considered his stance on the bill however he is willing to hear both sides.

"I'm open minded to hearing the discussion," he said.

Baker, who serves on the Alabama House Education Policy Committee, said in the past any discussion of setting or limiting statewide school start and end dates has met strong opposition.

"That seems to arise out of the concerns from the tourism industry and how that might impact them in a negative way," Baker said.

Currently 31 states including Alabama require at least 180 days of instruction during a school year.

Across the U.S. there are 3,181 schools with calendars that stretch into the summer months, usually referred to as year-round schools. There is at least one such school in 46 of the 50 states.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics only one district in Alabama, Mobile City Schools, is home to a year-round school.

Fonde Elementary School set a year-round calendar in 2017 and has operated separately from the rest of the district since.

While the percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading and language arts at that school is lower than the Alabama state average, data on publicschoolreview.com shows that students at Fonde Elementary have been making academic gains since the switch to a longer school year.

Currently Fonde Elementary receives no extra funding for maintaining a longer schedule.

Money for the program would come from the state’s Education Trust Fund, and if passed the program is expected to begin in the 2024 - 25 school year. No districts in the state would be required to change their calendar.

Before school districts commit to the change, they would need to submit an application that explains why they want to adopt a modified school calendar, evidence of community support for such the change, and a detailed budget of operating expenses.

The amount of extra funding districts would receive has not been finalized. The bill ties the amount to the school's enrollment levels.

Money for the program would come from the state’s Education Trust Fund, with the program going into effect by the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. School districts interested in being awarded the grants would need to submit an application including a rationale for adopting a modified school calendar, evidence of community support for such a modification, and a detailed budget of operating expenses.

Though the specifics regarding the amount of funding have yet to be finalized, the bill stipulates that the awarded amount would be based on a school’s enrollment.