Most children attend school for about 6.5 hours per day. Some people argue that this not enough time for children to master key concepts while others say that children spend too much time in school and on homework which leaves them little time for family or fun activities. “There are many benefits to year-round schooling—including consistency, less time spent relearning material, and the implications that year-round schooling has for closing the achievement gap” (Lynch, 2016, par. 1). Currently, more than 700 schools have extended their day. Massachusetts extended their school day so that it was 8 hours and found that they went up 44 percent in math,19 percent in science, and 39 percent in language arts (“Should students spend more time in I think the idea of virtual schools is wonderful especially for those who are home bound or have medical conditions. Students at virtual schools can learn at any time and any place about any number of subjects which is quite convenient. Students from rural areas can have the wide selection of courses usually only available to students in large suburban or urban schools. But, virtual schools are not for everyone for many reason. First, taking virtual classes requires the student to have access to technology devices and the internet which may be costly. “Some virtual schools also require other equipment including special courseware, and video conferencing software and camera” (“The Pros and Cons of Virtual Schools,” n.d., par. 2). Not all students can adapt to virtual learning as students have to be good readers and the online program may lack the auditory support found in traditional classes. They also must be self-motivated and organized so as to keep track of their work and assignment due dates. Student wishing to take classes that require direct instruction and use of materials not available at home such as science classes requiring lab work or cooking classes, may have to enroll in classes elsewhere. There has also been some concern “that students who are enrolled full-time in online public schools may suffer from a lack of opportunities for socialization, and consequently may fail to develop important social skills” (Sivin-Kachala & Bialo, 2009, p. 2). There are both pros and cons to virtual learning. It is not beneficial for every student, but it is for many. Parents need to look at the concerns that have been raised regarding virtual learning and make the best possible choice for their
While growing up, I attended a traditional school. This is a schooling method many individuals are probably familiar with. A student attends school for nine months out of the year, and then has a three month break during the summer. However, in my immediate hometown surroundings, nearby traditional schools are assessing the idea of transforming into year-round schools. Year round schooling is one subject debated in high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools nationwide. Are schools that operate 365 days a year academically better than traditional schools? What are the cost differences between the two? How would a year-round school effect families? Changing the schooling technique from traditional to year-round has numerous variables that need to be taken into consideration before any grade school or secondary education institution fully commits. Year-round schooling schedules should not be implemented and traditional schooling calendars should be maintained.
Ideally, extending the school schedule into the summer equals more learning. Because students are not dedicated to their studies, often they do not retain the information they learned over the school year during summer vacation. According to the article “Will Longer School Year Help or Hurt US Students” Smyth notes that, “Proponents argue that too much knowledge is lost while American kids wile away the summer months apart from their lessons” (Smyth). Smyth argues that students clearly do not retain their lessons over the period of their summer break. However, opponents of the extension of the school schedule say, “summer breaks are needed to provide an academic respite for students’ overwrought minds, and to provide time with family and the flexibility to travel and study favorite subjects in more depth” (Smyth). Smyth’s observation not only protests taking summer away from families but also describes summer as a time needed to rest student’s minds.
America’s black eye. The United States of America is known as one of the top countries in the world, but sadly is ranked only 36th in the world on education. This low ranking should be a wake up call that some changes are long over due to our education system. One of the possible improvements to education could be year round schooling. The percentage of year-round school implementation has increased by 544% in the years 1987 to 2003 (Stasticbrain). Year-round schooling has been an ongoing debate for many years with a strong list of pros and cons. Based on the significant increase in the number of school districts implementing year-round schooling, it appears that the positive aspects may be winning. Year-round schooling is beneficial because
Home school education has been growing exponentially in America over the past couple decades as more and more families are deciding to cultivate their kids’ educations in a more personalized fashion. Parents choose to home school their children for a large variety of reasons. The most popular reasons for this decision include dissatisfaction with the current education system, religious freedom in education, and personalized education for certain skillsets. Home school educations grew in popularity as the Internet became more prevalent in culture. The Internet allowed parents to access more educational materials from home and communicate with other home school families across the globe. Home school has had an impact on the identities of students
Albert Einstein once said “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that is it stupid.” Sir Ken Robinson stated that schools are destroying children 's creativity with their curriculum, there are many facts that support this idea. Students are required to think a specific way, prepare the way teachers want them to be prepared. Students also have their own opinion, because they are not afraid to be wrong, and need a way to move forward.
The education system has been changing in recent years and the same problems that existed continue to get worse as years pass. Problems that were seen as minor at first have now grown. How to change the public higher education system has been a major topic of discussion but there has still been no major action taken. We struggle to figure out how much funding is needed for higher education and where it should come from. Our people continue to suffer from an underfunded high cost system. The wealthy minority of people continue to be the only ones accounted for and it is time to change this. We need to adapt to the changes and the costs that continue to rise. It is time to help the struggling middle and lower classes. I believe that the best
The school board is considering adding an hour and a half to the school day.The extra hour and a half would provide more instruction time and students . Teachers would also be able to create more interactive lessons with the extended time. There would be several benefits if the school board extends the school day by one and a half hours.
Aside from this many people still argue that there is not a gap in education. Education is fair, america is fair. If a boy living Chicago, well below the poverty line, wants an education he can get it!
There are many opinions and studies about reforming school days. Some people are concerned that longer school days would bring more difficulties. However, there are numerous studies and practical examples that prove that we improve students’ performance by lengthening school days. Finally, the economy and our society will benefit from expanding school days.
School should be four days a week with an extra hour added to each school day because it would save money for the school system, increase student motivation, stimulate the economy, and promote student achievement. There has been a decrease in education due to the small amount of resources, causing classrooms to be bigger and children not being able to extend their knowledge. Even though the economy has been falling, each school district has been working hard to promote student education, which could mean trading a traditional school schedule for a four-day school week. Replacing a normal school schedule for the four day school week can raise the school budget tremendously. (Hart, Demand Media).
Many of us have said that there is not enough time in a day for work, activities, and school. What if the school days were extended to incorporate more time for learning? Several schools throughout the nation are debating whether they should have longer school days or if we should keep the current school days the same. The school’s most important goal is to enhance the knowledge of students so that they will know what to do in their future. Therefore, lengthening the school days will give teachers more time to focus on weak areas, more difficult materials, and allow teachers more time to spend with students. One important reason that schools believe that an extended day would work best is it would allow the school day to include subjects such
School has been in our lives for the longest time and it has always been a positive experience. It sets students on a path to achieve their education goal and stepping stones to a career! Now with all the advancements in life, students have the opportunity to do online classes. This is useful if the pupil is not able to attend school or their school does not offer some classes that they would like to take. Experiencing both of these ways of schooling, I have an understanding of the differences between the two. The major differences between online school and traditional school are the flexibility opportunities, the communication with the teachers, and the time management/discipline from the learner.
Education is meant to be the key to a successful life. It is supposed to inspire great ideas, and prepare each and every generation for their future. However, school for today 's generation fails to meet those requirements. Every student knows education is important, but when school is not engaging or in some cases, even relevant, it makes learning difficult. Improving the school system is something educators attempt to accomplish every year. Despite their best efforts, there are numerous flaws students see, but adults overlook. There is a lack of diversity for students to learn, an overabundance of testing, and students’ voices are being ignored on how to create a more productive learning experience.
Furthermore, some may suggest that online learning is benefiting our students in society. There has been a breakthrough in time and geographical limitations of education via online courses (Ho, 2009). Online education is cost-effective, efficient, and easily accessible (Schmeeckle, 2003). Online classes are used for individual and independent learning in which the student can learn at their own pace (Gonzalez, 2009). Not only is online education beneficial for breaking down barriers, online education has the potential to help students learn material more efficiently. Students are more likely to seek help from their instructors when the material is taught online (Whipp & Lorentz, 2009). Computer use in statistical classes could help decrease math anxiety (Gundy, Morton, Liu, & Kline, 2006). In a study that measured online students’ ability to achieve the same efficiency of course material as face-to-face students, at least 98% of students reported that they had, so one may be lead to believe that online learning is just as efficient as face-to-face courses (Liebowitz, 2003). With all of the positive aspects of online education, one may wonder why there is any debate as to whether or not online education is beneficial for
In every school around this country hanging on the walls are posters of great inspiration. They express the significance of what hard work, courage, determination, potential, and rising above and beyond can give a person who has a good education behind them. History books tell of a not so long ago point in time when America had an economy focused on physical labor that produced goods and then turned into a knowledge-centered one geared toward offering services. Looking at American now, one would never be able to guess that for a while education was important. Times changed and it was found that advanced knowledge and creativity was a thing to aspire too. Women fought hard just to be able to have the right to an education. “American politicians and pundits have regularly stressed that education holds the key to the country's future. Everyone seems to agree that good schools are prerequisites for broad economic prosperity, individual social mobility, and a healthy civil society in which informed voters engage in the public issues of the day.” (Mehta)