BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Back to school is just a few weeks away. And in Burlington, elementary school students are heading back to class facing a longer school day.
Kids will be dismissed 15 minutes later this year-- at 2:45. The district is adding academic time back to the schedule that was taken away during the last teachers' contract and given to teachers for planning time. Last year, teachers found the 15 minutes helped with organization, but really cut into time for core academic subjects like reading and math.
"They were concerned they didn't get through all the materials they had set up for their students. So, we really did see the impact of just one year of 15 minutes less academic time," said Jeanne Collins, the Burlington schools superintendent.
So, by adding 15 minutes to the end of students' school day, teachers keep the extra planning time and kids get their academic time back.
