Fewer schools days mean less time for CCSS preparation

With the current academic year coming to a close, officials from school districts across the country are in the process of planning the 2013-2014 academic year. As school systems' implementation deadlines for the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) approach, it is vital that educators have enough time to prepare for the CCSS.

As a result, many school districts are making decisions that could either help or endanger educators' level of preparedness for the new Standards. For example, Washington's Everett Public Schools district is considering changes to its daily schedule due to rising transportation costs, the Snohomish County Tribune reported. This move would see some elementary schools start between 10 and 20 minutes later. Students would get out of school later in the afternoon, so the amount of time they spend learning would not be disrupted.

Unfortunately, students could be directly affected if officials at the Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Oregon decide to make budget cuts that translate to fewer days in the academic year, the Statesman Journal reported. The current academic year includes six fewer school days than usual, and the idea of even less time has many concerned.

What is especially troubling is the fact that fewer school days translates to less time to prepare for the CCSS. With this in mind, school officials need to decide whether they are making decisions that will provide students with the best chance at achieving academic success.