A Way to Reform School Spending?
Here's more coverage of a small but growing trend in rural school districts: students go to school for four days a week, but for longer hours each day. Results from districts that have tried it include better student academic performance, less student and teacher absenteeism, and lowered costs for transportation and other overhead. Money saved is available for funding tutoring programs, adding art and music teachers and offering college-prep courses.

"Schools find that by knocking off Fridays or Mondays can save money on transportation, heating and substitute teachers," reports the Associated Press. "Advocates say four-day weeks have other advantages. They leave teachers with fewer interruptions and fewer student absences. They also cut down on teacher absences and allow schools to hire fewer substitutes - the fifth day is used for teacher training or to free up teachers for personal appointments. School districts in six states - Louisiana, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and South Dakota - are trying it this year."

The AP reports: "In many rural areas, the change allows schools to keep art, music and other classes often cut in tight budgets" and that some school officials say four-day weeks also improve student morale and behavior.

About 100 school districts nationwide, all rural and most with fewer than 1,000 students - are using four-day schedules this fall. Is anyone at the General Assembly even looking at whether this concept might help some of Tennessee's smallest and most financially-challenged school districts better allocate their financial resources? Probably not.