We have shorter school days, and longer summers, than most other countries. Growing up, my cousins in England an Italy could not BELIEVE how much time we had off.

That said, I do not believe adding 3 hours per day is practical. His reasoning seems less to focus on education and more to focus on safety:

"Those hours from 3 o'clock to 7 o'clock are times of high anxiety for parents," Duncan said. "They want their children safe. Families are working one and two and three jobs now to make ends meet and to keep food on the table." (Duncan in our national Education Secretary.)

School is NOT child care. (Yes, even senior in high school need adult supervision). Adding time is not the answer. QUALITY time in teaching and homework, that is what is needed. Teachers spend way too much timecoping with discipline, DCFY issues, meal plans, and other things which are the parent's responsibility.

Just my opinion.