Thanks to a substantial grant, several school districts in the US are extending their academic calendars. Why? To accommodate all the extra learning required to meet new standards. In districts spanning socioeconomic groups, the effort is being coordinated by the National Center on Time and Learning and the Ford Foundation and is being paid for by funding from the federal government. The idea is to determine how much impact a longer school day (with time for intervention and additional structured classes) and longer school year will have on learning and meeting educational targets set by Common Core.
I like this idea. Or maybe I just like that someone is trying to determine if it will help.
But I want to know what you think. Should longer, structured school days and longer academic calendars become an integral part of the Common Core State Standards strategy?
This issue is very controversial because the details of implementation, which may begin as being “fluid” tend to become more and more rigid. Most of the changes that were implemented in my school district in order to meet the CORE standards resulted in countless hours of extra work done outside the school day. If the days were lengthened, when would teachers have any time to plan or grade? When would they have any personal time? The changes haven’t been gradual and the cost hasn’t been absorbed by the district, but by the teachers. I have always participated in all that was required and have gone beyond those requirements for implementation of the ideas. My grade level was unable to work in a true collaborative manner, mostly because of one teacher who was unable to share. All I can say is: additional hours and structure in that environment wouldn’t be utilized in an optimal manner. When individual teachers are forced to place their own goals to be seen as #1 teacher ahead of the growth of all students, these kinds of endeavors fall short. Also, with the state of Ohio attacking the teaching profession, freezing salaries, and blocking union actions, asking teachers to work longer hours would ultimately require them to work the extra hours for no extra pay. There are a lot of great ideas that work “on paper”, but fall short when being implemented.
I have taught at a charter school that had extended school hours. From my experience it was not worth it for Kindergarten. They were not learning anything by the end of the day because they were so exhausted from going to school everyday with extended hours. Behavioral issue got worse toward the end of the week also and I would like to think I have a very established behavior management plan. Going to school more days may help but I am not so sure. I really think every school needs educators that can work full time with students who are in yellow (watching for improvement – they are not below (yet)) to give them what they need and also for the ones who are way below average. I love inclusion but I also want what is best for the kids. I differentiate in the classroom, in every area possible and in many different ways. Some times I feel like it is STILL not enough! What if we had an extra hand for the students who are not on IEPs to provide that little extra attention that they need? Would that help them excel? I believe so!
Although I am not opposed to more days in school each year, I am extremely against more hours in school. My own children don’t have time to get homework done and complete family obligations as it is. I couldn’t imagine another hour or two tacked onto the day. They just don’t have time to be kids anymore! However, as a teacher, I do believe we need more time in school. One thing I REALLY think we need to do is learn to do is use the time we have effectively. I personally feel we waste too much time every day.