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CAT Tracks for April 20, 2010
DAMN THE HOLIDAYS |
...full school ahead!
I thought the most cited educational studies screamed that the "long summer vacation" was bad for students, a horrific impact on student retention...requiring many, many wasted days in re-teaching at the beginning of each new school year, taking away precious days needed in preparation for the next round of standardized tests.
But, hey...
School could stay open on Columbus Day, MLK Jr. Day, President's Day, and Pulaski Day...and only take a couple of days off around Christmas and Easter for Winter-Spring Breaks. That would add approximately 15 teaching days to the schedule. Also, a district could take the State of Illinois up on its four-day week option...but go ahead and work the fifth day of the week (at either regular hours or the required lengthened hours), racking up 35-45 more teaching days. (I mean...the State of Illinois should not complain. The idea of the 4-day week was to close the building and not run buses so as to save money. A day is a day is a day...it doesn't make any difference if you take one day a week off or whether you "stockpile" those day and take a whole month or two off!) Look...that's easily two "teaching months" of school. So, a school district could easily start school on October 1st and dismiss by April 31st! Summer vacation would be May, June, July, August, and September!!! (That's why I didn't mention "dropping" Labor Day and Memorial Day...school hasn't begun/is already out!)
The true beauty of this plan...
It lays the groundwork for a sneaky way to comply with, yet circumvent the impact of Stooge of Education Duncan's cry for a longer school year. If...WHEN...Mr. Stooge offers some Duncan Dollars to districts which commit to the longer school year, a district that has implemented the above schedule can "offer" an extra month of education...and STILL take a 4-month summer vacation to make the students happy!
Unfortunately, there is one unresolvable downside...
Those damned teachers!
You thought teachers were bad when they made all that money and only worked 9 months out of the year. Under this plan, those suckers will still get their money and only work 7 or 8 months!!!???
Must be those damned unions...
From the WSIL TV Channel 3 Website...
Some Local Students Could See Fewer School Holidays
By Andy Waterman
SALINE COUNTY -- For years, students across Illinois have gotten days off to celebrate the accomplishments of state and national heroes. But now, Eldorado students may be in the classroom on those holidays.
"I think it would help with the learning environment to have less days off," said Eldorado superintendent Gary Siebert. "But also, we would want to use these days to honor either the person or the people involved."
According to Siebert, on holidays such as Veterans Day, instead of having time off, students would learn about those who've served our country.
"What we would do on that day is invite veterans to come into our school and talk to different classes that day," Seibert said.
With those holidays ripped from the calendar, Siebert says the school year would end earlier. That would give students a longer summer vacation, an idea that many kids applaud.
"I don't really do anything on those days anyway, might as well go to school and get out early, and have you know, a longer break. I think it's a good idea," said high school student Joe Blair.
"I would be okay with having more of my summer instead of just a regular day off in February for Lincoln's birthday. It's cold and not really much you can do," said student Alex Edwards.
Siebert says he thinks the schedule change will help parents, too.
"Columbus Day, Pulaski Day, the parents have to provide some way to take care of their children because they're working, so we thought that might be a benefit also."
Siebert says a public hearing on the idea will be held next month. If parents and teachers approve, the schedule could be changed for next year. The hearing is set for May 13th at 6:45 p.m.
