By LISABETH LUENINGHOENER
Los Alamos
The New Mexico Legislature is looking into two bills that increase the mandatory school time in NM. This has a very real and immediate impact on our schools.
From the latest LAPS Newsletter:
“If HB 130 passes without further amendments, LAPS would need to add about 20 instructional hours for the year at the elementary school and no additional hours at the secondary level. If HB 194 passes without further amendments, LAPS would need to [add] 82 hours at the elementary level and 52 hours at the secondary level.”
HB 194 could account for adding three weeks to the elementary school year and two to the secondary calendar. The extra funding that is attached to the bill is only applicable if days are added the year. It will not apply if hours are added to the days.
Research correlates more hours in school with better student outcomes, but we live in a scientific community and correlation is not causation. Additional hours without raising staff rates, making real changes to curriculums and testing standards, and addressing underlying factors will only increase student frustration and burnout and cause students to lose out on opportunities for enrichment and internships outside of school.
From the latest NCSL education report:
“Recent reforms have underperformed because of silver bullet strategies and piecemeal approaches. Meanwhile, high-performing countries implement policies and practices and build comprehensive systems that look drastically different from ours, leading them to the success that has eluded states.”
…and yet adding more hours to the school year is a false silver bullet indeed. If we’re going to increase funding for education it should be to raise wages and build innovative programs rather than to just increase class time. Adding optional weeks to the school year allows for families to make choices regarding attendance and the optional nature provides many enrichment opportunities that are unavailable during the school year because there is no pressure to advance the curriculum.
Also from the school newsletter:
“You can track the progress of these bills at nmlegis.gov. You can provide feedback in support or opposition by contacting your legislators. Click ‘find my legislator’ at nmlegis.gov.”
Finally, the school board has been considering a balanced (year-round) schedule. Be sure to reach out to them with your feedback.
Potential Conflict of Interest Disclosure: I am an owner of Los Alamos STEAM Lab which, provides summer programs that could be affected. I write this letter as a parent, not a business owner.
