With D.C. public schools trying to keep pace with the city’s growing charter sector, more flexibility in schedules—including longer school days and a longer school year—could well be written into the next contract signed between the city and public schools teachers, writes the Post:

The next D.C. teachers union contract will give principals and teachers greater flexibility to choose longer school days and a longer school year, Chancellor Kaya Henderson told the D.C. Council’s Education Committee on Friday.

The chancellor called additional class time a “key strategy” for boosting achievement and one that has been used at many high-performing public charter schools in the city. Committee Chairman David Catania (I-At Large) agreed that extended school time is necessary to put the school system on an even footing with charters.

Under the provisions of the current contract, the school day is limited to seven-and-a-half hours and the school year to 185 days. Charter schools, which don’t have unionized teachers, are able to extend both the day and year if they choose.