Special Education Plans

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More school? Obama could trim summer break

WASHINGTON - Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way.

Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe.

"Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas," the president said earlier this year. "Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom."

Read the rest here- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33054056/ns/us_news-education/

I highly doubt this will come to pass for a variety of reasons. First, many rural areas are hugely dependent on high school and some middle school students to help them during the busy summer harvest season. Second, the oft-dreaded but well-meaning teacher unions will raise their voices loud enough and lobby long enough that the government will more than likely cave in to get them off their collective back. Third, school districts would be forced to pay teachers for 12 months worth of work instead of the standard 9 months (yes, the majority of teachers only get paid for 9 months worth of work unless they have an extended contract!) and with the recent reductions in education funds and the resulting cuts to staff in many school districts, schools will balk at year-round school based on the cost to the district and essentially, to the taxpayer.

Year-round school has many benefits; the American education is unique in its approach to granting students and teachers nearly three complete months out of school. Students retain more knowledge and teachers are able to cover more material in the year-round setting. The availability of services to students who need them is also an attractive incentive to year-round education. However, I don't see anyone willing to foot the bill on this one.

  "Aut dosce, aut disce, aut discede" - Latin Proverb   "I am the Grammarian about whom your mother warned you."

 

I'd like to see him try.  Seriously I don't see this happening. 

I am so tired of hearing how the US needs to keep up with other countries, its like they are saying our kids are nothing but lazy, dumb, Americans.  When do kids get to be kids?  In order for our children to learn they need a break, if you push more school they are going to hate it even more and be less likely to care.  Their minds will simply go on vacation anyways.

Instead of asking for more time in school, they should be working on better instruction in class.  Now I'm not blaming the teachers here at all, it's more of the way the school is run, how much help the teacher gets with 30 somewhat students, and how things are laid out during the day.

I just read a study where it says that students actually only recieve 28 percent of instruction in each hour of learning on each subject.  The other time is spent with helping other students, class grading, talking about homework assigns, lining up, bathroom breaks and discipling students ect.

Where's the learning? 

I agree.  My sister is a Kindergarten teacher and once you factor in all of the other things that go on she is constantly telling me 'I just don't have time'.  There is so much red tape and politics in our schools today that learning has taken a back seat.  My sister has her job due to the school being Title I that means that there are so many kids in the school on or below poverty level/free reduced lunches.  So on top of being a teacher she has Title I duties to deal with. 

It is sad that learning is being pushed aside.