Cash-Strapped Calif. May Shorten School Year

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 8, 2009 8:55 AM CST
Cash-Strapped Calif. May Shorten School Year
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks about delays in funding for infrastructure projects due to the state budget crisis.   (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)

Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting a week out of the public school calendar, the latest desperate measure in California's struggle with a $41 billion budget shortfall. The Governator says the $1.1 billion savings will ward off other cuts to education, which makes up 40% of the state budget. Schools would close early or find money to finish the 180-day year, raising fairness concerns, reports the Los Angeles Times.

"It would particularly hurt our low-income students and students of color," said the state education superintendent. "The result would be a further widening of the achievement gap."
(More financial crisis stories.)

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