Rep. Melanie Wright advocates for change in school schedules

INDIANAPOLIS — During the 2016 session of the Indiana General Assembly, State Rep. Melanie Wright (D-Yorktown) will encourage lawmakers to give teachers and administrators more control over student schedules.

Wright has filed House Bill 1323, encouraging lawmakers to remove the 90-minute required reading time for elementary school children. According to Wright, this requirement is not developmentally appropriate for the K-6 age group.

“I started to notice issues with the classroom schedule,” said Wright, a teacher at Daleville Community Schools. “It became clear that the reading block was impacting the students’ participation in other areas.”

The reading block was affecting student schedules including specials classes, recess, lunch and restroom breaks.

“Reading is an important part of any classroom education,” said Wright. “However, until you are in the classroom and with the students, it is difficult to determine the best approach to teaching the subject. Ninety minutes may work for one grade level or for one student, but it is not a universal standard.”

This change in standards has made teachers’ jobs more difficult.

“I think it would be beneficial to include teachers in the conversation,” said Wright. “If they are included, they can address how the lack of day-to-day flexibility affects students’ schedules.”

Wright believes this legislation will give teachers and administrators the control when it comes to developing student’s schedules.

“Local control is key,” said Wright. “Our teachers and school administration know the system, the families and the students. They are in the best place to make these decisions and ensure that the current system is more age appropriate.

“I want to make sure we have a partnership between teachers and administrators that helps us develop lasting solutions that can benefit students,” said Wright.