By Lakotamom

January 29, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this

Where do I start? This whole thing is TERRIBLE! I have kids in high school now, but I sure do remember when they were in Kindergarten- they came home and needed naps from 1/2 day school. They also spend plenty of time learning just by playing. Since when did playing become a bad thing??Why must they grow up so fast? Let them be kids! And 20 more days? Talk about the destruction of the American family. When do we get time to just be together? I did not have kids just so I could turn them over to some school to raise when they turn 5. Summer is important. First, since we do not have a year round climate, it is the only time they have to do some activities. (Like play outside and be physically active- are we not already too obese? More time in a classroom will really help that.) Has the governor consided the economic impact if the high school kids are not free to be lifeguards at the pools, or work the other summer only jobs (i.e. King’s Island)? Who will do those jobs? Life is about way more then just school. Try applying to any college and just listing “school” as your only year round activity! Think you will get accepted?? They want well rounded kids. Kids that have had a job, experienced new activities, spent time devoted to something they love. I am just sick over this whole idea. And look at the reason people feel they have to do this. They keep hearing that the US is behind so many other countries. Do these people even research why that is? The truth is our top kids score just as well as the world’s best. The difference is that the US tests every child. In most European countries, by 8th grade, the kids who are not college bound have already been identified and are no longer tested. We are not comparing apples to apples. You want to help the youth of today- give them time to be kids, to be with their families, to experience the world. Not all learning happens in a classroom. The best happens when you are not even looking for it. Stop this maddness. I certainly know who I will not be voting for again.

By Rick

January 30, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this

Lindsey, you must look behind the hype. For instance, the Governor proposes, the blobaucracy (teachers unions, Colleges of Education, School Boards, think tanks) have opposed testing for years; they were the ones who assured us everything was fine, that whole word method of learning was better than phonics,etc. However, those international tests proved their untruthfulness. So this Democratic governor proposes to do away with the OGT and adopt the ACT. A lot of investigative journalism is called for here. Contact the Thomas Fordham foundation for a start. The plan calls for “Add to the basics more global awareness, life skills, critical thinking and problem solving.” You forgot to mention that it calls for more cultural awareness. These are code words for politically correct indoctrination. Where did the Governor get these ideas? Curious minds want to know.

By Alice

January 30, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this

I welcome any positive change. Most like to talk to talk a good talk, but the truth is most Americans don’t place education as a high enough priority for their children and the results show when our children have to go out and compete in a global market and they fail.

By All4Kids

January 30, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this

Way to go Lakotamom! When do kids just get to be kids? The summer! And now to take that away from them… it just isn’t fair. In addition to how unpopular this will be for kids, what about the expense of extending the school year? With districts already going to the communities for the much needed expenses of running a school district, who is going to pay for the additional costs of those additional 20 days? You did notice Mr. Strickland did not say how he was planning on financially assisting the schools with the extra expenses. The 3 mils he did mention for districts is a drop in the bucket! I love my family time with my kids and the family memories far outway the benefits of an additional 20 days of school.

By deb

January 30, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this

Strickland was in Dayton on Thurs and stated that some of the funding would come from an increase in state fees. Driver’s license fees? License plates fees? Business fees? My suggestion is that if people are that strongly opposed to this (& I am, too), then people need to contact their state representatives and voice their opinions. I think we have to demand to see the evidence that these changes he wants to make work in real life & not just in some non-teacher’s head. My other problem w/ this issue, as well as NCLB, is this is a blanket change w/out regard to whether it is a suburban, rural, or an urban district. All of them have different needs and issues.