Rather than typing an entire entry, I have decided to copy and paste an excerpt from an email that I sent to Mass 2020, the governor, and the Department of Education.
I have been researching through the Mass 2020 website, as well as other resources the many benefits of expanding learning time for our school children. Overall, the idea seems like a good one to me. I can definitely see how providing more time to learn, as well as differentiated instruction and cultural enrichment opportunities would benefit our children and better prepare them for their future. One of the areas in which I have found little to no research on is how this expanded learning time has affected (in those school systems that have already initiated ELT programs) activities out side of school such as sports, Girl Scouts, or any other extra curricular activities students may be involved in. Have students still been able to participate in these activities? I was also curious regarding how this affected homework. If the students are in school for more time, do they have less homework? On a personal level, as a parent of three school age children, I am having a hard time imagining fitting it all in (an extended school day, outside activities, homework, dinner, showers etc.) and still having the kids in bed at a normal hour. Perhaps my biggest question is in regard to how this is all funded. I am assuming expanding learning time would involve spending money above and beyond what is spent in a non-ELT school to pay for additional supplies, salaries for teachers, building maintenance and other related costs. Do towns that have an ELT schedule receive more state and federal funds to help offset these costs or, is the town expected to come up with the money? As it stands in Middleboro right now, our school budget was cut drastically last year, and this year it is not looking like it will be any better.
I am not completely convinced that extending learning time is the way to go yet but, there certainly seems to be some benefit from it. I am anxious to hear back and will post here when I do.
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They already have extended the school day in Carver, subtly, they took away 30 min of recess and it's now 10, where's that 20 min go........into the curriculum.
I'll tell ya, if they extend the day in Carver, i will be dismissing my children DAILY at the time they get out now 2:45. If they extend the school day, this mom will have MANY WORDS and will piss MANY administrators off. Personally, i will NOT allow my children to go to school much more than they are now in the day.
AND.......if they extend the school days? do they still need to go 180 days? That should be cut down.
My kids, cannot handle a longer school day, along with the homework they have now. I will be in Pembroke.
I feel personally, that music and art should be an elective at this level. BOTH my kids cant stand music and art. What do they possible need art for in later life, never mind be GRADED ON IT. They are horrible singers and cant draw, but yet they are graded as they are expected to be Monet's.
AS it is now, after school or before music/band is offered. Keep it that way, and add art.
Children who enjoy these classes, SHOULD be able to be involved, but personally, i am starting to get sick of the WEDNESDAY MORNING tantrums b/c my daughter DOESNT want to go to music today to have do the recorder which again what will she need this for in later life, study it.
on top of it if she FORGETS it she loses her whole 10 min of recess and has to write 25 times i will not forget my recorder. C'mon, give me a F'ing break. It's a stupid recorder not her math book.
If I had the patience HOMESCHOOLING would be an option at this point. School has gone way down hill, and they need to be taught more important things at this level. LIKE DEVOTE A WHOLE CLASS TO BULLYING AND RESPECT! I think my kids would rather have that than art.
Sigh, ok that's out.
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