Schools out, but should it be?

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

A movement is underway to lengthen the school year, or at least provide students with year-round academic enrichment to prevent “the summer slide.” But districts continue to cut programs as budgets have shrunk. 

 

Research shows most students fall more than two months behind in math over the summer break. Low-income children fall behind two to three months in reading while their middle- and upper-income peers make slight gains, according to the National Summer Learning Association.

 

“Summer learning loss . . . it’s devastating,” said U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan in an interview posted on the U.S. Education Department’s website. “We need to do something about it.” Duncan is urging states to create and fund summer learning programs and favors extending the school year beyond the 180-day academic calendar, citing competitive countries that send students to school 20 to 30 days longer.

 

Do you agree with this movement?

 

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