Balsz Elementary School District in Phoenix , for example , has extended its school year to 200 days , paying teachers 9 % more to work the additional days . . Davis : Children lose educational advantage in summer , do better with a longer school year . Davis : Students from low - income families really fall behind , with more advantages . Phoenix district extended school year ; scores on standardized tests went up , she says , failure rates down . All students do better , she says , and it provides opportunities for more creative teaching .
. Davis : Children lose educational advantage in summer , do better with a longer school year . Davis : Students from low - income families really fall behind , with more advantages . Phoenix district extended school year ; scores on standardized tests went up , she says , failure rates down . All students do better , she says , and it provides opportunities for more creative teaching .