Education Issues Debate

I saw an article where Obama is talking about more time in school.  I read it out to my DH and we were both upset.  First, my two get up before 5 A.M. in order to eat, get dressed, and catch the bus by 5:40 A.M.    Their school doesn't start until 7:42.  They normally get out of school between 2:35 and 2:45 and get home off the bus at 4 P.M.   Because they have to get up early they have to be in bed by 7. During those 3 hours of time at home it is homework, supper, bath, storytime and bed.  Now tell me when they are going to be able to be kids if we have more time added to their school day.  In the article it also said about summer break being cut short and there are schools who go everyother Saturday.  There again when do they get to be kids and spend time with family??  I understand what he is trying to say about kids in other countries who do go to school more that they have higher scoring then the U.S. kids in certain test.  But where do we draw the line between school time and family time?

Right now my kids are suppose to go to their dad's house every other weekend.  So what happens if they have to start going to school during those Saturday's?  They just don't go to their dads (he lives 5 hrs away).  I am all for education.  Personally, if the way they decide to do it is after every grading period (around report card) the kids get a break (like a week or so) and then scheduled time off in the summer like 4 week blocks then great. 

Is there any one whose kids go to school year round? If so do you see a difference in their education from going all year and going just 9 months out of the year?

Here's a link to the article I believe you're referencing, in case anyone else wants to read it~

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/27/us/politics/AP-US-More-School.html?_r=1

This should make for an interesting debate!

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I just don't see this one flying.  I think it was his opinion, not what he's working on.  I understand the idea that some at-risk kids would probably be better off in school, but I don't believe that's true for everyone.  I'd like to see them do better with what they have first.  Just like throwing money at a problem doesn't fix the underlying causes, putting more time for time's sake doesn't do anything either.

But there's too much to work out... how will this be paid for?  Local, state or federal?  I can't see this flying with the teachers unions either. 

But I do believe the thought process is that the government would rather control our kids lives then letting parents.  Just one more step imo. 

My kids go to private school so it isn't an issue for me, but I would not want to go to year round school or extend the school day.  Ever see how much time is wasted in school?  That's where I'd start.

I for one am tired of this administration gearing everything towards the bottom rung of society who won't or can't do the right things and making the rest of us pay for it financially or otherwise.

I personally wouldn't mind the year round schools. I think the kids spend far too much time outside of school during the summer. Give them some time off but the 8-10 weeks they get now is unnecessary.

I hate that the first month or so of every school year is review... Wasted time that doesn't need to take place if they don't have 8+ consecutive weeks outside of the classroom to forget it all.

JMO but our education system could use some changes.

stacy