Post by KG on Feb 17, 2010 19:31:56 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I know I've not been posting much, but I have been thinking quite a bit... our state is broke and can't afford to run the schools anymore. They are trying to figure out what to do... and I had a suggestion. I was wondering what you folks think of this idea.
I just sent the following letter to our states Governor, and the Superintendent of the largest school system in our state.
Dear -----------,
Thank you for your efforts during this difficult economic time. I have a suggestion that might ease your burden a bit.
Would you consider significantly less class time for High School, and perhaps Middle School students? College Courses usually meet twice a week, and cover as much or more material than High School Courses. Why not give half your students Monday and Wednesday classes and the other half Tuesday and Thursday classes? Have Friday off, saving costs for transportation, utilities, and lunch. Teachers would have a four day work week, and Students would have more time for term papers, and big project assignments. It would give kids more family time to bond with siblings and parents.
School could be supplimented with a website, requiring students to log on to meet the 180 day requirement, and of course exceptions and other arrangements could be made for students without internet access.
Small children do require daily instruction, and a lot of individual attention, but older kids, would benefit from smaller classes, better student teacher ratios, and more time to work independently. Most should be responsible enough to pace themselves through the week to meet requirments for their longer assignments.
The time wasted on the school bus, and on the playground, walking between classes and at lunch would be cut by 60 percent. The amount of classroom space would be cut in half, and the space for kids in magnet schools would be doubled... perhaps trippled if you went for a six day schedule at magnet schools, and a four day in other schools.
Transportation costs could be cut in half or more, if days were selected to consider bus routes. Lunch room expenses would also be cut considerably, and there would be a significant utility savings, especially on Friday. This savings could be used to keep most of the teachers, and provide smaller classroom sizes.
Students would save time. Their average schedule includes a study hall, a lunch period, an hour or two of transportation, walking between classes, time between arrival and class, and etc. If you cut out three out of five days of this, they'd save at least nine, and up to twelve hours each week of wasted time at school, while they are not actively engaged in learning. That is more time for homework, and enrichment activities. It's more times to spend with their families, and more time to study independently.
Schedules could be adjusted for slightly longer class periods, and less messing around time.. no study hall, and a shorter lunch period, no homeroom, and getting down to business earlier in the morning. Maybe a longer school day, but only twice a week for the kids, and four days for the teachers. I think it would save time and money... and that's what we need these days.
Plus I think you'd see a difference in the dicipline problems right away. There would be a much better student teacher ratio. It would also decrese the frustation of being cooped up in a classroom with each other so much, and having so much wasted free time at school, they'd be more like college students, than bored youngsters.
I know it would require a change, or at least of bending the rules, in state attendance requirements, but I really really believe it would work to the benefit of students, teachers, and parents.
Thanks for your time,
Kim
I know I've not been posting much, but I have been thinking quite a bit... our state is broke and can't afford to run the schools anymore. They are trying to figure out what to do... and I had a suggestion. I was wondering what you folks think of this idea.
I just sent the following letter to our states Governor, and the Superintendent of the largest school system in our state.
Dear -----------,
Thank you for your efforts during this difficult economic time. I have a suggestion that might ease your burden a bit.
Would you consider significantly less class time for High School, and perhaps Middle School students? College Courses usually meet twice a week, and cover as much or more material than High School Courses. Why not give half your students Monday and Wednesday classes and the other half Tuesday and Thursday classes? Have Friday off, saving costs for transportation, utilities, and lunch. Teachers would have a four day work week, and Students would have more time for term papers, and big project assignments. It would give kids more family time to bond with siblings and parents.
School could be supplimented with a website, requiring students to log on to meet the 180 day requirement, and of course exceptions and other arrangements could be made for students without internet access.
Small children do require daily instruction, and a lot of individual attention, but older kids, would benefit from smaller classes, better student teacher ratios, and more time to work independently. Most should be responsible enough to pace themselves through the week to meet requirments for their longer assignments.
The time wasted on the school bus, and on the playground, walking between classes and at lunch would be cut by 60 percent. The amount of classroom space would be cut in half, and the space for kids in magnet schools would be doubled... perhaps trippled if you went for a six day schedule at magnet schools, and a four day in other schools.
Transportation costs could be cut in half or more, if days were selected to consider bus routes. Lunch room expenses would also be cut considerably, and there would be a significant utility savings, especially on Friday. This savings could be used to keep most of the teachers, and provide smaller classroom sizes.
Students would save time. Their average schedule includes a study hall, a lunch period, an hour or two of transportation, walking between classes, time between arrival and class, and etc. If you cut out three out of five days of this, they'd save at least nine, and up to twelve hours each week of wasted time at school, while they are not actively engaged in learning. That is more time for homework, and enrichment activities. It's more times to spend with their families, and more time to study independently.
Schedules could be adjusted for slightly longer class periods, and less messing around time.. no study hall, and a shorter lunch period, no homeroom, and getting down to business earlier in the morning. Maybe a longer school day, but only twice a week for the kids, and four days for the teachers. I think it would save time and money... and that's what we need these days.
Plus I think you'd see a difference in the dicipline problems right away. There would be a much better student teacher ratio. It would also decrese the frustation of being cooped up in a classroom with each other so much, and having so much wasted free time at school, they'd be more like college students, than bored youngsters.
I know it would require a change, or at least of bending the rules, in state attendance requirements, but I really really believe it would work to the benefit of students, teachers, and parents.
Thanks for your time,
Kim