Some Mesquite high school students could skip the last week of school next year while others get intensive academic help under a program that could be approved tonight.

Students who pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills and their classes would attend class for fewer days, essentially earning extra days of summer vacation.

High school students who haven't passed both would attend the full year and receive intensive help while the other students are off. Those still behind after the end of the school year would go to summer school.

"It just seems like a great opportunity to work with a smaller number of students who may have some more intensive needs," said Jeannie Stone, a district administrator who has been investigating the program.

The school board is expected to adopt the plan, known as the optional flexible year program, at its regular meeting. If approved, Mesquite would be one of the larger districts in the state to use the program.

Smaller area districts have tried the program, including Grand Prairie and Lake Dallas, which used it this year.

Stone said she researched five districts that had used the flexible calendar for several years, and all had improved student test scores.

The Texas Education Agency has not done any studies on whether it is effective, said Suzanne Marchman, an agency spokeswoman.

The state began the program in the 2003-04 school year. About 150 districts have participated, none in the first year. Only five districts have been continuously in the program since. The state has not asked the other districts why they dropped the program.

While some districts use the flexible calendar in all grades, Mesquite is planning a two-year pilot program in high schools. Officials said response to the idea has been positive, based on an online survey the district conducted.

The Texarkana school district has used the program across all grades for five years. Ronnie Thompson, an assistant superintendent there, said about 85 percent of students get out early. The others are matched with teachers, often with as few as five students to one teacher, for intensive work.

"We may be able to do two or three reading lessons in a day instead of one," Thompson said.

In Lake Dallas, school district spokesman Christopher Lamb said the high school principal has been handing out cards urging students to pass TAKS, pass class and get out early.

The program is not without critics. Some say cutting the school year is a problem, since students could still be learning.

But Stone, Thompson and Lamb said the districts looked at it as a way to provide extra help for the students who need it.

In Mesquite, the program actually would increase the school year for many students. For years, the district has received a state waiver for a 177-day school year for students. But the flexible year program requires a full 180-day year.

Students who get out early actually would gain only five days from this year's calendar. Meanwhile, elementary and secondary students would attend an extra three days because of the new schedule.

The Mesquite school district is considering giving high school students who pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills a shorter school year. Students would fall into three categories:

•Students who passed the TAKS and their classes would get days off.

•Students who failed any portion of TAKS, failed a core course, or did not meet attendance requirements would attend all days. The extra time would be used for additional instruction.

•Students who still did not pass would be required to attend summer school.

SOURCE: Mesquite school district