Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Should We Lengthen the School Year? (Draft)

Did you know that in a Grade 4 international test took in 2007, United States was placed in a lowly eleventh place, while countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and Kazakhstan, were in the top five. A similar result happened when America place 9th in an 8th grade international, while similar Asian countries were in the lead. While Hong Kong, the winner of the Grade 4 international contest, has about 200 days of school, America only has 180. The U.S.' curriculum is far behind other countries in the world. United States should definitely consider lengthening the school year.
Reasons why a lengthened school year is necessary is, because an extended school year will improve student's performance and increases chances of getting into a good college.
First, a longer school year improves student performance. U.S. has the least number of school days in the entire world, and is very far behind what other countries are learning. Many of these countries have longer school years than U.S., such as Japan, with fifteen more days in its school year than U.S. A longer school year could give the country a chance to catch up with its rivals in education, such as the countries in Asia mentioned earlier. A large number of cities, such as Philadelphia, have a very low curriculum. An extended school year gives students more time to learn new skills and to master the concept. Many people, even some government officials, such as Senator Peter Mills of Maine, agree with the idea of adding more days to the school year. A longer school year is what we need!
A longer school year also increases the chance to go to a better college. The main purpose of school is to be a preparation for the SAT. School teaches many of the skills needed to hopefully pass the SAT with flying colors, like algebra, reading comprehension, etc. Everything a student learns in school contributes to what they score on the SAT. Going to a good college, such as Harvard or Yale, is essential for someone to get a good job. With the economic crisis, and job layoffs, kids need all the help they can get to receive a job in the future. A longer school year will do just that. Did you know that an extra hour a day for school can give a student an extra twenty-five points on the SAT? Twenty-five more points on the SAT can give a student who would normally going to somewhere like Rutgers a chance into Harvard. A lengthened school year can give a child a better future.
A longer school year is what America needs at a time like now. Although America does need the money right now for other issues, such as for the government, and kids need to relax in the summer, an extended school year is worth it. Not only does it improve student performance, but it also lets students get enrolled into a good college. Take some time to think what's really important. A longer school year is what America needs!

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