Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on November 14, 2006

Click here to view bill details.

Say no to year round schools! I taught in a year round school in California and it was miserable. Being packed in a small classroom in the worst part of the summer with 30+ kids and no air conditioning was definitely not a boon to learning. Do you really think kids can learn effectively when they are miserably uncomfortable? I recorded the temperature in my classroom one day -- it was above 90 degrees. Also, what about people who travel over the holidays? I had 2 days for Christmas and 2 for Easter -- say goodbye to seeing family. My family is all in Georgia and on a traditional schedule -- I can forget about my children being able to visit with their cousins. What about the kids who are involved in extra activities over the summer -- scouting, band camps, sports? They can kiss that goodbye.This is something that is best left up to local control -- if individual school districts want to go to a year round schedule, those school districts can explore that. This bad idea should not be forced on all public schools.

This is not the answer for Michigan, especially with our climate. We need breaks in the summer not the winter. This would hurt tourism. Screen for dyslexia at mid kindergarten first. Address the dyslexia issue BEFORE resorting to year round school, please. I disagree with year round schools for Michigan.

When do teachers take classes?

I myself usually take my state-mandated classes during the summer. This is obviously not a well thought out bill. Bet you their committee of "affected and interested parties" doesn't include one teacher actually in the trenches or, if they actually allow one on the committee, it's a proponet of year round.

HOUSE BILL No. 6617 November 14, 2006, Introduced by Rep. Kolb and referred to the Committee on Education. A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled "The revised school code," (MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1284a. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT: Sec. 1284a. (1) Not later than 6 months after the effective date of this section, the state board shall appoint a task force to study and submit a report to the state board and the legislature concerning the relative advantages and disadvantages that would likely result from operating public schools in this state on a year-round basis. The study and report shall also assess the feasibility of implementing a requirement for operating all public schools in this state on a year-round basis. The state board shall ensure that the task force has adequate representation from all major groups in this state that are concerned with public education. (2) The task force shall complete its study and submit the report required under subsection (1) not later than 18 months after the effective date of this section.

This bill is not well thought out for ALL stakeholder needs, I'm afraid.

I can't afford to be a teacher without that summer job. When would I take classes? REQUIRED classes!

Chris Kolb, killer of Michigan tourism. Way to go!

no, no, no Can't afford the air conditioning! You gonna pay for that, too?

Think it through. Nope!

This ain't it. Most definitely NOT supported here. Not gonna get that Democratic teacher vote next election! Hope someone else likes you. It's not us.

Bad idea!

Not your best work!

Tourism KILLER! It's depressing to think about being in school all summer with NO AIR. You take away all hope. Any reason to stay in Michigan is blown out of the water with this bill. Good luck getting teachers to come here or STAY. Doesn't matter how much you pay them. This just SUCKS. Plain and simple. I disagree with this bill.

What are ya thinkin'?

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Have you even bothered to read what the research says regarding year round school and achievement? There is no credible, well-designed study that indicates that moving to year round school improves student achievement by anything more than a miniscule amount. Some studies have found that year round actually has a NEGATIVE impact on student achievement. Sounds to me like this is a move to make the schools year round in order to provide working parents with a babysitting service so they don't have to make child care arrangements during the summer.

If a district wanted to do it, PERHAPS, but to mandate it for the state? Wrong move.

This bill may have some imperfections, but the general drift of it seems sensible. The general drift is to see that a task force is appointed to study the pros and cons of putting Michigan public schools on year-round operating schedules and to deliver a report on the matter. If nothing else, HB 6617 acknowledges that more and more is expected of our public schools and students these days, and that scheduling options – longer school days, extended school years, for examples -- should be studied and considered in an objective way. As a high school and college student, long ago, I attended summer school as well as the regular sessions from September to June. Personally, I recall the experiences as positive and worthwhile. But not having seriously looked into year-round school schedules in this era, I take no position for or against them at this point. I’d like to see a well done task force report on the question. I do believe control over choice of scheduling options and calendar should be at the local school district level rather than via a state mandate. In that vein, the “no school before Labor Day” law should be repealed by the legislature.

TRY AGAIN, KOLB!

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Single sex choice good, YEAR ROUND mandate, BAD!

What bandaid legislation. This is not the root of the problem. Look elsewhere!

Holy cow!

With 4 weeks off in the summer. If you are going to do it, do it RIGHT. Look at SUCCESSFUL models, don't rush in, give teachers air conditioners. Can you afford them? Be humane for goodness sake.

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Will teacher education course schedule change to accomodate teachers? How long would THAT take? Don't jump in without considering everyone's needs. Everybodies needs in this equation are important, not just lawmakers trying to look good as Democrats get power. Do it right and don't rush if you must do it.

they're democrats. they don't have to think.

and any other hairbrained ideas the democrats come up with. live with it.

legislation at it's finest. true democratic style.

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are my main concerns. I have seen it done successfully in other states.

Currently, they don't.

Talk to them, perhaps.

think that the unwilling, taught by the uncaring, are REALLY gonna learn more by keeping them LONGER in a place they REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE??? lets quit making summer school for the dummies that can't hack it the rest of the year, and make it a place where the gifted, talented, and MOTIVATED STUDENTS can go to 'GET FARTHER AHEAD'. that way, those who WANT to be there can go, and those that don't can stay home. kind of like summer semester in college.

California does not have a great program. I taught on a full year schedule when I was there and it was terrible. This should never become a mandate for the state. Let districts that want it, go ahead but those that don't, leave them alone.

The people that seem to be complaining the most are teachers who seem to be more interested in their three month long payed vacation than the education of our children.I think if this commitee explores the education system on a world wide scale they would find in a quick hurry why they need this and many other rapid changes.This day and age we live in a global economy and our kids need to have a competitive education. John Stossel did a investagation into this and found our education system to be one of the worst in free societies.The education system in our country needs to be upgraded.I sure hope that our state congress keeps in mind what is best for our kids not the convience of teachers.I myself work 12 month a year with 6 paid holidays and two weeks vacation and I survive it hasn't killed me yet in 15 years of working this way.I do think our teachers should be compenstated for the extra time there is enough fat in public schools like the outrageous pay of school administrators and many other areas that could be cut to give our school system the money it needs to make such changes.One final note that has baffled me for years is why private schools in our area that recieve 3,000 to 4,000 a year per student are much more successful than public schools that recieve almost twice that much.

Are you on that dyslexia kick again? !it revo teG