Isn't that what Alice Cooper sang about?
Although it's not for me, it is for my soon to be 8 year old son starting 3rd grade in the fall. He's looking forward to a fun summer but he is equally excited about started school again in the fall because he gets moved to the other side of the building with the "big kids" (4th & 5th graders). The hubris of his youth is infectious.
But my thoughts turn to an commentary in this morning's newspaper entitled, Summer break makes kids dummer. The author, Nolan Finley, talks about the amount of knowlege that kids will lose during the next three months. It's exacerbated for those students living in poor and urban areas.
Finley goes on to point out that because Michigan is so tourest driven in the summer, there is a strong contingent of politicians and lobbyists that are resistent to increasing the length of the school year, despite the success that it has proven to have on test scores of students attending "year round" schools in places like Holt, Grand Rapids and even Detroit (University Prep Math & Science Middle School).
Gov. Rick Snyder is in favor of this legislation but he can expect a tough fight from the lobbyists, teacher's union and parents. But not from me.
I think it makes all the sense in the world. In the short term, there is going to be anxiousness, frustration and anger. However, changing the system to help improve the future of a state that is so desperately in need of change is one of the most logical choices we can make. I have yet to hear a compelling arguement against extending the school year. Lobbyists are just looking out for themselves, the teacher's union is looking out for the teacher's and parents are looking out for themselves. Who is looking out for the kids? It should be everybody.
As a soon to be teacher, I didn't choose this profession to have the summer's off. Anybody that does is going into it with the wrong mindset and thinking more about themselves than their students. What if doctors took the summer off, or lawyers... or anybody else for that matter that does not have a seasonal occupation? Teachers are far to valuable to only be required to work 180 days a year, especially if they are only working 6.5 hours a day, and that includes thair lunch and usually a prep period for most all of them. I am not lumping all teacher's in to the same category because there are some amazing educators out there who truly want to teach and inspire our youth to be our future leaders. But they are not the majority, unfortunately.
Weed out the underperforming teachers, who should be held to a higher standard than the students. Extend the year... extend the day. Maybe both. Do something so when my kid gets to third grade, he doesn't need two weeks, or more to review what he knows. That's a wast of time, energy and money.
Hi. I found your comments very interesting. I probably have a very different lifestyle than many of my classmates. My husband is Syrian, and for the past 12 years I have spent 2-3 months every summer in Syria. My husband's parents are there, as well as a very large extended family. My children have a pretty good understanding of that society because they have been able to spend several months a year there. I am quite sure that most people do not travel for this much of the summer, however! I am in a very small minority.
ReplyDeleteMy older son is now 15. He is absolutely delighted to be out of school. He is the type of person who studies intensely, and then he truly needs a break. He needs to allow his mind to rest and wander. I know that he personally would not be able to endure another round of studies right now. Fortunately, I am not working during the summer and we are able to have quality minutes at home for a change now. I have fewer responsibilities, and I am able to spend more time with my children.
I am interested in learning more about year-round schooling and its benefits. For my family, it would be too much of a sacrifice of overseas family ties and culture. But for others, it might certainly be the best option.
Best wishes to you and your family for an enriching summer holiday. Susan