Students could schedule their vacations any time of the year or attend school all year under a plan endorsed by the Senate Education Committee.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Bill Wright, R-Elberta, said it would allow skiers to skip school when the snow flies and make up for it in the summer. Others could hit the books and head to college before their peers.The bill would split the school year into five 45-day segments. Wright said it would be a boon to advanced students but also would benefit slower students who might need remedial help.
Teachers would have the option of teaching a full year instead of their traditional nine-month contracts, he said.
Wright and co-sponsor Lloyd Frandsen, R-South Jordan, envision the plan being used in junior highs and high schools.
It would take $8 million to develop the program at select schools.
A survey late last year of 610 Utahns with school-age children found two-thirds wanted to hear more about the proposal and six in 10 parents said their children would be interested in attending summer classes.
Many parents said their children were interested because it would allow them to graduate early, complete college credits or improve their education.
The measure is supported by the PTA, the Utah Education Association and the state Office of Education. It passed through the committee Wednesday with no opposition.
The committee also passed a measure that would require driver-education classes to include a segment on head injuries caused by car and motorcycle accidents.
Rep. Nora Stephens, R-Bountiful, said young Utahns are involved in 3,200 accidents that result in brain injuries every year and that head injuries are the leading cause of death among young adults in Utah.
A committee-endorsed bill sponsored by Rep. Bradley Johnson, R-Aurora, would allow learners' permits to be issued to students three months before their 16th birthday.