Obama proposes longer school day, shorter summer breaks

[lizbud]

School Officals started all year school a few years ago. Students get
shorter breaks. If it helps get students to graduate, it's a great idea. Indiana
has a horrible graduation rate.

[sparks19]

the summer break thing doesn't bother me. It's just over two months of doing nothing (although I DID enjoy it when in school lol) It could definitely be shorter especially with all the snow days they have around here. school gets called out with even the prospect of snow. which is totally crazy to me... I don't remember snow days when Iw as a kid unless it was a couple of FEET of snow over night lol.

but longer days? How much can a 7 year old take? 70 hours of school a week?

I agree this is very unlikely to happen and IF it did I would hope it wouldn't be all of a sudden. It would definitely need to be something that they build up to over a few years.

but for young kids that's just TOO much IMO.

[Karen]

As I said, it's an old story, and nothing to worry about.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is many kids these days go to "after care" after school, as both parents work. So effectively, they have a longer 'school' day anyway, even if all of it isn't officially called 'school."

[Alysser]

The summer break proposal would be bad for me, as I am so used to having 2 month summers. I would hate it. I know many many kids are bored all summer, but they should think of those who aren't. I worked all summer, I've been in the working force for 2 years now - it'll be going on 3 next month. Although I don't work during the winter. I was an excellent employee, I even got a letter in the mail saying I was an outstanding performer and they want me to come back, so I guess that's a good sign. A year-round school might not be so bad, but still. I worked my butt off all summer, and it wasn't my fault or the kids who WORK fault that kids were bored all summer. I maybe called out twice all summer.

I agree with you on the quality of teachers, Freedom. I just really don't like the longer school days, like someone said it's not PRACTICAL. I hope if anything happens it isn't going to happen anytime soon.

[sparks19]

yes but usually after school care isn't as "structured" as the school day. In other words most kids don't spend the after school care time sitting in a chair for that extra 3 hours. they can move around, maybe work on their homework during that time, or let off some steam by playing and socializing rather than having to just sit still in a chair for an extra three hours and THEN go home and still do their homework on top of that

[blue]

My little sis went to a year round school, at least before high school, they had trimesters.

[TINFOILHATON]If the administration is trying to indoctrinate our nations children, longer school hours make sense. Heck they already have elementary school kids singing songs and performing plays about The Messiah, err, the KIC, err, The Appointed One, err, Obama.[/TINFOILHATOFF]

[Marigold2]

In Europe students go half a day on Sat as well. As it stands now most Americans go only 180 days a year. We lack behind many courtries in Science & Math a change needs to be made. Going year round with maybe two weeks at Christmas and two weeks in the spring is plenty of time off. Students spend the first semester reviewing what they forgot durning the summer, three months is far too long.
Doesn't it seem like half of the Dr's in this country are from India?
School from 8 to 5 sounds ok, home by 6 for dinner with the folks. An hour for dinner, an hour homework and then free time.
Sports are great but not if the child cannot read or write, sports should never come before grades. That however is what it has come too. And that is one reason our kids are not doing as well as those in other countries.

[Marigold2]

Somewhere in the world, right now, students are hard at work in school. With over 190 nations spanning the globe’s 24 time zones, students and their academic years come in a variety of forms. Here’s a sampling of the typical school year in 13 nations throughout the world.
Australia


Students in Australia attend school for 200 days a year. Their school year lasts from late January to late November. Since Australia is in the southern hemisphere, it experiences summer while it’s winter in the northern hemisphere. Summer vacation for Australian students is from December to late January. Their school year is divided into four terms, with each term lasting 9 to 11 weeks. Students then have two weeks of vacation between each term. The typical school day is from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and lunch is eaten at school. Students are required to attend school for at least nine years. The average class size is eighteen students and there are about six computers per classroom.

School grades in Australia are called years. Primary school is from year 1 to year 6; secondary school is from year 7 to year 12. A 6 year old begins in year one, while an 18 year old finishes school by year 12. From year one to year six, students spend about 12 hours a week working on math and English. Many schools integrate subjects, meaning they combine two or more academic subjects. For instance, say your class is studying coral reefs. A non-integrated approach would have students study coral reels only in science class. An integrated method incorporates math, by taking measurements, for example, and language arts. Students would then use that information to write a report about coral reefs.
Brazil


Brazil, also found in the southern hemisphere, shares the same summer months as Australia. The school day in Brazil runs from 7 a.m. to noon, and students typically go home at noon to share lunch with their family. Lunch is the most important meal of the day. Most schools require students to wear a uniform.

Math, geography, history, science, Portuguese, which is the national language of Brazil, and physical education are the main subjects studied by students in Brazil. Many schools can barely afford to teach those subjects, which means that courses like art and music are often left out in poorer areas. The average class size is 30 or more students. Most schools do not have a computer in the classrooms, or have only one or two computers for 30 students to share.