I don't think anything short of a miracle is going to "do it", and it'll certainly take more than this - but it's a great start. If the additional days are used as the YRS schools use their intersessions to remediate after each 45 day period, to work on JUST those skills that individual kids are weak on. Biggest prob with this in the YRS, students aren't required to be attend...this way they will be.

Getting parents onboard with educational initiatives would make the biggest difference...can't tell you how many kids I know who's parents have given them cars, numerous electronic toys, major allowances - very few work -whatever they want - but then ask them to crack a book or two? Gawd forbid....my kid would have been on a bicyle until he was 21, no sports, no outside activities until he showed me some major improvements in his grades.

As there might be afew few exceptions to the rules, I agree. Most who fail standerdized test don't care, and an extra 20 days would just be punishment. Of course there are those rare cases of student who really try, and struggle, and really do need help.