Reader Feedback: Longer School Days?

On Wednesday we posted news on our Facebook page of Governor Mario Cuomo's State of the State Address, whereby he suggested New York schools lengthen their days or lengthen the school year in order to meet academic goals.

Cuomo proposed a competitive grant program for schools that develop initiatives to improve student achievement that would include extending learning time by at least 25 percent.

We asked the community what they thought of this possibility. Here is just a sample of the more than 50 comments we received:

From Gail Carillo: "There is already so much stress and pressure on todays youth. I believe down time is imperative and I think imposing on breaks could potentially have a negative impact."

From Stephanie Volpe: "I'm thinking instead of treating every kid like they are carbon copies of each other make learning more real life. Get them interested in something earlier and build on that rather than cram the same same same down their throats... So no I would not think an extended school day would help."

From Sherri Rocchio Patton: "If children are to be better students it starts at home...they are getting burnt out from all that they are doing now. Forcing them to go to school for a longer day or year is a horrible idea. Enough with the way they are teaching them things now, get back to the basics !! I hate having to google info on how to understand what my kids are doing in class."

From Danielle Goody Porter: "Kids are in school long enough and I dont think the year should be extended. I wish the teachers could be more creative and teach the way we use to be taught instead of all having to teach the exact same way. All this testing and a lot of homework is just burning the kids, teachers and parents out..."

From Felicia Marotto-Grunski: "No one seems to be questioning why our country is ranking at the bottom of the list in math and science? And why so many high paying, quality jobs are being given to people from other countries? Something isn't working..."

From Martha Cole: "I think extending the school year is an excellent idea. A 4 week break would be more than sufficient, but I also think we have to get back to teaching the basics... reading, writing (kids today can barely print, much less write in script), arithmetic (without using a damned calculator), spelling (not spell check on the computer), proper English grammar."

Want to weigh in? Reply to one of the points raised in this story? Drop a comment below to have your voice heard.

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