By: Shannon Sweeney, Patricia Lopez, Sara Manello and Frederick Feraco
There has been much speculation regarding the school day in the United States. According to Newsday, many politicians, including President Obama, feel the average school day is not long enough for students to reach optimal levels of achievement. In recent articles, there had been much debate over shortening summer vacations, lengthening breaks throughout the school year and creating a longer overall year for students. However, is this practical for the children in the nation?
Many parents are concerned that they will no longer be able to spend quality time with their children if summer vacations are eliminated. Additionally, parents feel that their children are overscheduled and pressured to perform in and out of school. Parents believe that children need more time for relaxation with family and friends due to their grueling schedules. On the other hand, many teachers and politicians the school calendar is not conducive for the highest level of learning.
When the school year begins in September, teachers feel that students have lost knowledge and that was previously learned, due to their summer vacation. Therefore, teachers need to spend time reviewing topics learned in the previous year, before beginning the new curriculum. Teachers only have 180 days of school year to meet state requirements and prepare students for state testing.
The United States education institution has been lacking in achievement compared to Asian countries such as Singapore and Japan in math and science. Politicians feel that increasing the length of the school day and/or year, will increase the accountability in the United States. Furthermore, the United State education system will be more comparable to Asian countries.
Although, students in other countries do not spend any more hours in the school than American’s do. In other countries students attend school approximately 190 days compared to the America who spends only 180 days. Due to the longer school calendar of these countries it allows students to participate in enrichment to further their learning. In America students who attend enrichment have above average to gifted intelligences which does not allow all students to attend these classes. Perhaps enrichment classes should be open for students to enhance their learning.
Another common concern during the school week begins between the hours of 3 o’clock to 7 o’clock where students are most mischievous. Some believe that children get into the most trouble from the time of the dismal of school till about dinner time. People say if we extend the school day than children will be less likely to get into trouble.
Also, even though the summer break will be shortened, this will allow students to have a place to go and prevent them from having the opportunity to be ill behaved. Studies suggest that not only does this help out children across the board, it significantly helps the students who have a lower socioeconomic status. The less advantaged students may not have the resources at home that can facilitate their learning. For example, these can include a parent reading to them, summer enrichment programs, and access to technology like a computer. By keeping them in school for a longer period of time during the year they will continue to have access to these resources.
This topic has ultimately been debated consistently throughout the years because the students are the ones who refuse this change the most. In most cases, the students feel that they spend more than enough time in school and that any extra time will put them over the edge. Do they really know how much they will benefit from it unless they try it? Is it possible that the students will enjoy school more once they are totally inundated with the subjects? Perhaps, if they have the additional enrichment that they need, they will stop rejecting school and alternatively, embracing it?
It is important for the United States to stay in competition with the rest of the countries on the globe, and if it means adding extra hours to the school day, or lengthening the school calendar then it should be done. All in all, ultimately it is for their benefit, even if it is a source of debate.
18 responses so far ↓
melissapfeffer // November 4, 2009 at 3:07 pm |
The problem is that many students by the time June comes is ready for school to be over because they have been trained that by then its summer vacation. I know many times after state exams are adminstered many teahcers begin to feel that it is not needed to teach any more and just make class a more like a free time. If the us followed a schedule like most of the world then many times maybe some of our test scores would not be lagging behind the rest of the world especially countries such as singapore. As well was it me or did this artictle remind you time frame wise as the kip school?
lovestoteach87 // November 5, 2009 at 12:25 pm |
coming from someone that was an honor/AP student.. we had enough work to deal with…. i can’t imagine putting more pressure on good kids…. it is not fair to extend the day for everyone…what about the kids who are not ill behaved and enjoy their summer vacations and needed them because of exhaustion from the whole year? (me) ….i dont think extending a school day is fair to everyone…im glad this only in the charter schools because at least there is an option..
gracejimenez // November 5, 2009 at 4:10 pm |
As a mom of elementary school children I kind of agree with the thought of decreasing the amount of summer vacation. My kids do not want to do anything remotely educational during those two months. By the time they return to school they are having a hard time recalling all the information from the previous year. Don’t get me wrong I love having them home and doing fun things together, but I don’t think they need to be off two months for us to enjoy our family life. Maybe break up the vacations so that whatever is learned is still there when they go back to school. I don’t agree with extending their school days. They already have such a long day. I do think that the vacation time should be reduced or divided up in different ways.
debbieali // November 7, 2009 at 4:34 pm |
With 4 kids attending school, I agree that the school year can be extended somewhat, but not the actual school day. They can take away some days that the kids gave off for mid winter break, spring break, and Easter. Maybe they can cut summer vacation to 6 weeks instead of 2 months. By the time the first week of summer vacation is over, my kids are already fighting and wishing they were back in school instead of being off doing nothing. I’m all for cutting back on days off but not to make the school day longer than it is because the kids will be up later finishing their homework and this in turn will put parents behind because they have to correct it and they are already tired from working all day.
pbssteno // November 8, 2009 at 9:55 pm |
When my three kids get home from school, they are pretty tired and wiped out. My oldest daughter, who is in eighth grade, shows me every day how much homework she has to do. Since weekends are no longer off limits (homework is given every Friday) family time is at a premium. Maybe we should focus on quality over quantity. Honestly, I am worried that she is not developing the skill set she needs to keep and hold any kind of job. Her attitude about her homework is to get it done and out of the way. I have to “nag” her into getting it done. How will she compete in a very competitive job market. Our schools do very little to address this. I think students who perform better in other countries might just have better work ethics than our kids do. This has nothing whatsoever to do with how many hours one might spend in a classroom listening to a teacher.
clovaton // November 8, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
I think the school year should be extended, not the school day itself and less consecutive vacation time would be beneficial so students minds could remain fresh. In order for the United States to stay in competition with the rest of the countries on the globe, parents should get involved and monitor their children’s activities after school.
jbeans324 // November 8, 2009 at 11:50 pm |
I think that was a great article. The school that I am working in is currently facing this issue. We are a private school and are considering making the day one period longer next year. Many schools have been discussing this issue for a while now, and I am against making the day longer. Students in my school have some sports practices before school. (4am swimming), then they attend school all day, go to any sports/extra help/ clubs after school. After taking the late bus home, it is already 5 at night, at least. (even later) I feel that this is such a long day for these kids. They can not possibly handle any more work and more hours of classes.
Kids are constantly told that schools look for them to be well-rounded. This causes them to join clubs, sports, and partake in outside of school activities. How will these kids keep up their grades, focus in school, and be well rounded? Kids have a hard enough time staying awake in school now as it is, never mind if there was a longer school day/year. I think that the school is not what has to change, it is the testing. The regents is set at a very low level, almost everyone can pass the exams. I think we need to raise the standards of quality testing not the quantity. The state also needs to keep in mind that not assessment should be testing. I was an honors/AP student. I graduated high school in three years, however I did poorly on my SATS because I am just not a good test taker. They should keep this in mind when administering regents for every subject.
jml526 // November 9, 2009 at 4:11 pm |
I don’t think more time in school is a bad thing. As this article stated, many parents feel that their children are stressed out form too much school work. If the school year were extended then the teachers would have the ability to spend more time focused on a topic, rather than rushing through it to “get in” all the curriculm within 180 days.
As far as extending the length of the school day, I also think this can be beneficial to students, and their families. Many students are already involved in after school programs or day care centers which their parents must pay for. Parents could save money if they did not have to enroll their children in these programs, and instead of play time the children would be learning.
I also agree that many students lose too much over the long summer vacation. The parents who are worried about losing “quality time” with their children are most likely working and only spend and 1 or 2 week vacation time with their children anyway. From what I have observed, many children are sent away to sleep away camp, or enrolled in summer day care programs. Those who are not enrolled in such programs quickly become bored, and whether they want to admit it or not, they do look forward to getting back to the routine of school and seeing their friends.
hbloom4 // November 9, 2009 at 5:30 pm |
The school year may have some flexibility to be extended. However, without affecting student performance, I would not add more hours to the school day. Working in the schools I see the difference in children’s behavior at the start and the end of the day. They are EXHAUSTED. Adding more hours would be a waste since the hours added wouldn’t serve as a benefit to them if they aren’t listening!
alejandro // November 9, 2009 at 6:58 pm |
I think that adding more time to a school day is not good. Like others said, kids at the end of the day are very exhausted. I know my son comes home hungry and sleepy. After he takes his nap, and only then, he starts doing homework. I truly believe that it is important that children learn, but giving them more time in a day will make them have less time for homework, extra activities, and a good sleep at night. However, maybe if they go to school all year, as other states do, they could accomplish more (maybe).
medowit26 // November 9, 2009 at 8:36 pm |
I feel that extending the calendar year will not exactly improve students’ progress. We cannot always think that if we change our way as a country to be like another country, the results will be the same or similar. Because a specific system works for one society, does not mean it will work for another.
Getting rid of summers to expand school days will just mean more absences. Families go on vacations in the summer, and if there is no summer, does that mean vacations will disappear? No. Parents need to start working with their kids to improve their overall progress.
I, as a parent, would not be so happy will this complete 180. I understand changes need to happen, but not by these drastic measures. I just think if each and every family were to work with their children from the beginning to promote the importance of learning, than students would as a whole do better in school.
lagerakaris // November 10, 2009 at 8:24 pm |
Extending the calendar year would not show improvements. I feel that it is important for children to gain experiences outside of the classroom, and they have plenty of time off for that in the summer. Gaining knowledge does not always need to be based inside of the classroom, some of lifes most treasured lessons come from outside the classroom.
kristinobrien1021 // November 11, 2009 at 1:08 am |
I agree that the school day should be longer and that the vacations should be shorter. Everytime we turn around the schools are off for something else. Children should be able to learn and compete with different countries in no way should we not give our children the advantage. The school day is so short because we still are on a farmers schedule, this couldnt be further from the truth now so I think it should be somewhat longer. I know children should be able to play and be kids but they can also learn that in their school environment if we adapted to a longer school day. Also many parents work and this would be an advantage for them not having to find extra child care. I think as a whole something needs to be changed because the times are.
joanne10 // November 17, 2009 at 10:14 pm |
I have had the opportunity to observe my sisters children who attend a year round school in North Carolina. They start their year at the end of July and are on a rotating schedule of 8 weeks in school 3 weeks off. They DO have air conditioning which is a big help. I must say that they seem to be able to go right into the next grade with out the loss of information. I believe that this is because of the time NOT spent away from the school. The only problems that my sister encounters is the availability of babysitters and daycare. Since not all of the district are on this type of schedule she does find it a problem with the 3 weeks off.
azack329 // November 18, 2009 at 7:05 pm |
Today there is so much extra pressure on students to do well. I can’t imagine putting more pressure on children by extending school. When are children going to have time for all their extra-curricular activities and for homework? Children need to experience socialization which is fundamental in order to succeed. Children today already have a long day enough day as it is with the amount of schoolwork and extra curricular activities. I think it would be extremely unfair for to extend school, children need to have a life outside of school. Regular schools allow an individual to acquire a personal identity and learn the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate which is an integral part of succeeding in this world.
lpastore2 // November 19, 2009 at 5:54 pm |
As a prospective teacher, I support increasing the time students are in school (whether it is the school day or the school year).While some teachers would agree with me that they would like more time to add to their curriculum, I could tell others would be very upset at the thought of having to work longer hours and/or shorten their summer vacations.
Although if the idea of lengthening school hours/days was brought to me while I was attending high school, I know I would not be in favor. It was difficult enough trying to balance all the extra curricular activities I had while still finding time to complete my daily homework assignments.
But we need to consider many of the issues brought up in this blog such as global competition, lack of enrichment programs and activities, “re-teaching” lost knowledge, and long trouble-making hours. I believe lengthening the school day/year has the potential to alleviate some of these problems.
davidalt928 // November 20, 2009 at 8:21 pm |
School is a place for students to learn and socialize with peers. They learn to interact within society and its rules. Lengthening the school day would benefit the students who are trying to understand maximum amounts of information. They would have more time to review and retain the knowledge they have collected. After School and Summer School students can take enrichment courses to enhance their education.
tkpowers // November 23, 2009 at 10:56 pm |
i agree with many who have commented on this article. i feel that the school year could and should be extended, but i feel the school day is just long enough. we have off so many days that are completely unnecessary. their is no reason for 2 weeks off for christmas, and then February break. if we eliminate some of these extended vacation days we would be able to gain more days to our school year. it would be an easier approach rather then extended the time spent in school a day.
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