In the fall of this year, Prince George’s County is seeking plans to lengthen the day for students in middle school. Schools spokesman Briant Coleman reported to WTOP that the details have not been finalized, but plans are in the making to extend the school day at middle schools from 6 hours and 40 minutes, to 7 hours and 20 minutes. A. Duane Arbogast, Prince George’s County Public Schools Chief Academic Officer, told the Gazette that it will be up to principals to decide how to best use the time; whether as an extra period to assist struggling students and challenge others, or as time added to existing classes to enhance learning.
The added time in the school day would result in changes to how early students have to wake up in the morning to when they get home. The new schedules could possibly allow the school system to use fewer buses and save money. The Superintendent, William Hite, requested about $4 million less in next school year’s budget for student transportation services than the system spent this year. Arbogast reported that the plan would only impact middle schools, not K-8.
