State lawmaker proposes 15 additional school days

A state lawmaker wants to extend Oklahoma's school year by over two weeks, saying that State Superintendent Sandy Garrett's proposal to add just five days of classroom instruction is inadequate.

State Rep. Paul Wesselhöft drafted a bill last week to extend the number of student class days each school year from 175 to 190. He says that a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that gave Oklahoma's public school system two "F" grades is evidence that such a change is needed.

Will the 15 days be beneficial? Should the lawmakers invest in early childhood programs to improve the schools instead?