Answered Conundrum Next Conundrum

dtvrivera dtvrivera

Should US schools reduce summer vacation so that students can spend more time in school?

Recent cuts in school time, such as the one occurring in Hawaii, where school days were reduced from 180 days/schoolyear down to 163 days/schoolyear have become a concern nationwide. President Obama says "U.S. students are at a disadvantage with other students around the world because they spend too little time in school." He feels schools should "add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go. He declared recently that "the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom."" What do you think? Should schools add more classroom time, perhaps by reducing summer vacation so that children receive the same educational standards as others around the world who are not out of school 3 months out of the school year?
Interesting Question? Yes (0) No (0)
RSS

Best Answer Decided by Votes

michelleld...
michelleld...
Marked as Best! October 20, 2009 05:11 AM
I am all for keeping school year-round. We work year round, so I see no reason for kids to get three months off during the summer. Additionally, the time they take off, they lose so much and have to start by backing up. I like the concept of 9 weeks on and two weeks off, a week at all major holidays, and two weeks for a vacation in the summer, which is still a lot better than what will happen when the kids grow up and are in the workforce.

BUT--I think the school day should be shortened. I homeschool my son right now, but before I did, he had to be at school for his sports stuff at 7am, and he had band after school until 4:45. So from 7am to 5pm, he's at school. Then he would come home and have two hours of homework nearly every night, and sometimes have to work on projects on the weekend. That's a 12 hour work day. I just don't think that's right at all.
Helpful Answer? (2)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
dtvrivera
dtvrivera
October 20, 2009 06:01 PM
I think you're right about children having excessively long school days with before and after school activities and other extracurriculars. My children have a full schedule, too, and the poor things are constantly worn out. But I also have found that every beginning school year is a drag for them and starts off slow because they have become so accustomed to the long summer vacation. Shorter school days are a possible answer, if more school weeks overall are added. I, personally, went to school in Germany and we "only" had 6 weeks summer vacation (which was a long time still to be away from school), but our school days only went until 1 pm every day (and started at around 8am).
Report

Other Answers (4)
Sort By

tealmyster
tealmyster
October 20, 2009 02:10 AM
Having only been out of school for 3 years. I personally would of loved being in school over the summer too...I would of loved to have more breaks...and seemingly more school. I also feel it would be more benefitial the students wouldn't forget as much, need as much refreshing when they get back. :)
Helpful Answer? (1)   (1)
Permalink | Report
Reply
unwirklich
unwirklich
October 20, 2009 02:31 AM
Maybe a little, but I wouldn't support year round school. I feel that education is obtained in more than just the classroom. The break allows kids the chance to experience life at different life stages, get summer jobs, travel, etc. I think this is all equally important to a child's education. Should it be shortened? No. Should it be significantly lengthened? No. I don't think the issue with America's education system is the length of time students are there.
Helpful Answer? (0)   (1)
Permalink | Report
Reply
sdresser
sdresser
October 20, 2009 02:51 AM
It absolutely should be shortened, but longer breaks should be given for spring break, and winter (Christmas) break. All in all, I think adding about 2-3 weeks to the school year would really go a long way.

That being said, I don't think you can blame the current state of our primary and secondary education system on summer breaks. There are a lot of other factors that come into play (quality of teachers, lack of support at home, etc.). But, I do believe that the long 2+ month break is excessive.
Helpful Answer? (2)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
lgalatea
lgalatea
October 20, 2009 06:26 PM
Going to school year-round is much more efficient. I homeschool my children in this manner. They have several periodic breaks throughout the year but never for more than seven days in a row. They retain more information and do not need to get "warmed up" in the fall like so many other US students. They say some lose three months worth of knowledge in the current educational system. That is awful!
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply

Answer this Question


View All Belief and Thought Questions

Ask a Conundrum


140 characters left

Categories

Large Glass of Conundrum Wine

Welcome to ConundrumLand

Please enter your zip code.