Published: April 1, 1990

Is More Better?

"All studies indicate that our students get less instruction than students in other countries,'' Bingaman said at the time. Students in countries such as West Germany, Japan, Great Britain, and South Korea attend school as many as 243 days per year, he said.

Currently, states require anywhere from 170 to 182 school days a year. Bills that would extend the school year have been introduced this year in Missouri and Utah. In addition, governors in Vermont, Colorado, and New Mexico endorsed the concept in their State of the State Messages.

But most observers say the outlook is unfavorable for moves to lengthen the school year. Many state lawmakers, they explain, are wary of adding days to the school-year calendar--especially at a time when a number of states are suffering the...