Schools across the nation are trying to figure out how they are going to be able to stay open. Daily the news tells the stories of districts sending out mass pink slips to their teachers...of schools getting rid of things like their art classes and sports programs and cutting their custodial crews...and of other ways that they are drastically cutting back on their expenses.
Earlier this year Arnold Schwarzenegger...looking for ways to cut expenses for the state proposed having 5 fewer school days each year.
In direct contrast to that statement Barak Obama and his Education Secretary are publicly advocating that the US have more school days per year...and longer days. Their statements do not mention any legislation towards that end...just that it is what they want to have happen.
So does it sound like a good idea to you? Here is an article discussing some of the pro's and con's. Personally I do not want more school. I want higher quality schooling...and stronger families to support that education. Frankly...I also want the disbanding of the board of education and the federal governments role in our children's education.
A fair question ask is..."If we can't afford to run our schools right now on the days and hours that we currently do...how will we afford it if we increase the days and hours?" It is like a family that is deeply in debt...on the verge of bankruptcy...about to be on the street...planning on how they can spend more money on shoes. While shoes are important...if you have no money to buy them...you may have to make do with what you've got...or take money from another expense to pay for the shoes.
Anyways...this is an issue that we need to decide where we stand on it...so that if it tries to become a law...we can make our voices heard.
