KC districts unveils plans for improving academics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The superintendent of the struggling Kansas City school district has released a five-year turnaround plan.

School chief John Covington wants a longer school year, a longer school day and better teaching.

The Kansas City Star reported he also wants to improve parental involvement, lure back students who have left school and eliminate unnecessary spending.

Teachers would be paid more based on how their students perform, and students of different ages could be in the same classroom instead of being separated by grade.

The announcement Saturday came just more than a week after a divided school board approved a plan to close almost half the district's schools. The district has lost about half its students in the past decade, leaving its buildings underused.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com