In catching up on local news from late last week, there were at least six news articles about school snow days in Ohio. This isn't only because winter precipitation is a hot conversation topic (it is; did you hear about the wintry mix we're supposed to get tomorrow?) but because Gov.-elect John Kasich just announced that he'd push for the state to revert to the old school calendar that included five calamity days (instead of three).
Ohio can get pretty snowy, so why the big debate? As the Akron Beacon Journal notes, it's not about the weather but ?the serious issue of the length of the school year in Ohio.? Gov. Strickland previously tried to lengthen the school year by 20 days (to 200), but lawmakers compromised with the small reduction in calamity days. The Cincinnati Enquirer has it right in making the case for ways to make up lost instructional time, either by emulating nearby states (Kentucky, Indiana ? both of which have a longer school year) in requiring students to?go longer in the school year or cutting into spring break, or by taking a cue from one Ohio district using online learning when bad weather hits.
We've cautioned against the temptation to take the path of least resistance when it comes to making tough budget cuts, warning that cutting the school year or school day (or anything that leads to lost instructional time) might temporarily trim costs but isn't worth the potential harm to student learning. As for snow days, Gov. Strickland had it right when he said that if ?the state pays for a day of instruction for a student, the student should get a day of instruction.? Considering both the costs in terms of money and student achievement, Kasich should reconsider the snow day increase, as should lawmakers (who would have to approve the move).
On a separate note, does it concern anyone else that Kasich was persuaded to increase snow days by his ten-year-old daughter and her friends? It may just be a cute quip ? the kind that reporters love a bit too much ? but if such policy changes can be driven by a group of sled-ride seeking fifth graders, I'm a bit concerned.
- Jamie Davies? O'Leary