Thursday, March 19, 2009

Should We Lengthen the School Year? (Final)

In a Grade 4 international test taken in 2007, the United States was 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 was 9th in an 8th grade international, while similar Asian countries were in the lead. 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. An extended school year will improve student's performance and increases chances of getting into a good college.
First, a longer school year would make us more competitive. 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 than the U.S. A longer school year could give our country a chance to catch up with its Asian rivals in education. A large number of cities have a very poor curriculum. An extended school year gives students more time to learn new skills and to master new concepts. 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, like algebra, reading comprehension, etc., needed to hopefully get a good score on the SAT 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 one of the factors 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 at Harvard. A lengthened school year can give a child a better future.
A longer school year is what America needs at a time like the present. 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 valuable. Not only does it improve student performance, but it also lets students get enrolled into a good college. A longer school year is what America needs!

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