Northampton Blog: Best Way to Lose a Popularity Contest Ever
Northampton, also known as: History of Northampton Northampton Blogs Northampton Schools Other Area Colleges
|
Thursday, October 26, 2006 - Best Way to Lose a Popularity Contest Ever
 Well, both the local teachers' union and area students must be pretty bumbed, as Northampton recently received a grant to study extending the school day. According to the report, one stipulation of the grant is that the town "must submit proposals to the Department of Education outlining the feasibility of increasing learning time in their districts by at least 25 percent, or 300 hours per year." 300 hours? Okay, so 300 hours, divided by 180 school days per year, equals 1.67 hours each day. So, in school terms, that means extending the day from 2:05pm to 3:45pm! 2:05pm seemed late enough to us as high school students, but then, we never had to pass the MCAS, either. If the school year is to be extended by 25%, does that also mean teachers' salaries will accrue an equal raise in pay? How will the schools fill the day, too? Add lab periods to History classes? Extend lunch period? Bring back recess? We propose schools consider using the time to let students cross Route 9, slowing traffic even more during rush hour. Perhaps the extra time could be spent enriching students academic lives beyond preparing for standardized tests? Oh wait, that isn't sanctioned by No Child Left Behind.
|
News Living Art Food Local Businesses
|
