If the Wyoming Senate passes through a recent bill approved by the Wyoming House, Wyoming schools could begin year-round schooling for the 2013-2014 school year.
Last week the Wyoming House of Representatives passed a bill that will allow Wyoming to have year-round schooling.
The bill would allow $3 million to be appropriated to the department of education from the school foundation program account to assist with the year round schooling.
House Bill 255 will not require school districts to adopt the year-round schooling plan, but is simply giving them the option to do so.
Those who are opposed to the bill say that shorter breaks could interfere with opportunities for students to have summer jobs or internships, while supporters say the shorter breaks would better prepare students for the world economy, according to the Associated Press.
Students would be granted breaks throughout the school year for periods of less than or equal to three weeks, which would meet the maximum amount of time that students can be away from their teachers as allowed by state law.
The year-round schooling, should a school district so choose to adopt it, would begin during the 2013-2014 school year.
If schools in Wyoming do choose to begin a year-round school system, financial assistance would be limited to a certain number of schools within each district that applies and would be based on the district-wide average daily membership, according to the bill.
In order for schools to be eligible to receive funding for year-round schooling, it must submit an application with a schedule for the year including school time and scheduled breaks. Schools must also include how they plan to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and their educational and achievement goals for the year.
Schools that do receive financial assistance for year-round schooling will receive about 5 percent of the total resources they already receive. The finances will be distributed in two payments throughout the year.
The bill will now head to the Senate for approval.
