MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Opinion

Discussion

December 11, 2012

Expanding time in class worth a look

A plan to expand hours in schools in five states bears watching.

Public school students in Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Tennessee are expected to add 300 hours of learning time starting as early as 2013.

The schools are taking part in an initiative intended to boost student achievement and make schools in the United States more competitive.

The three-year program will affect nearly 20,000 students in 40 schools.

School districts, parents and teachers will help determine if school days or hours or a combination of the two will grow.

The program could be expanded — especially to those schools that serve low-income communities.

Schools districts throughout the states should keep a close eye over the next three years to see if grades go up.

There is some research to suggest students who spend more time in the classroom will learn more.

Some disagree.

But that’s the point of this program.

Let’s let the program run its course and monitor the outcomes to determine whether more time in class results in higher achievement.

The U.S. has tried so many programs, including No Child Left Behind, but we are still floundering while some nations are thriving.

The U.S. needs to fix the problems in schools in order to capture the top spot in education throughout the world.

A quality education means the world to students.

Students who learn more, earn more.

They also have a greater chance at becoming leaders.

Right now school districts throughout the nation are struggling to find answers.

This five-state program might provide some interesting answers.

It is time to find out if more class time will result in a better education.

Text Only
Opinion
AP Video
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla. Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Poll

Are the IRS, Benghazi and AP phone warrant scandals vital issues, or a distraction from more important business the nation should deal with?

Vital
Distraction
     View Results
Featured Ads
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Stocks