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The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Bernard
A survey of 1,200 students released July 27 by the nonprofit youth organization Junior Achievement Worldwide reports that an overwhelming majority of students participating in after-school activities are doing so on school grounds. Though after-school programs are generally praised for keeping kids involved in healthy activities while parents are at work, opinions differ as to how students should be occupied during on-campus, after-school time.
Some policy makers, like those backing the Massachusetts Department of Education's Expanded Learning Time Initiative, suggest that what schools need is an extended school day, where after-school programs can help students hone their academic skills or participate in hands-on learning activities. Others contend that a longer day spent learning may cause academic burnout (and require significant funding) and that extracurricular or unstructured after-school programs are more beneficial to students. How should students' after-school hours be filled? We're interested in your opinion.
Comments & Responses
no it not fair
it is not fair to have longer schools days because some kid need to spend more time with their family. and alo they dont have ride home if they stay after school because of the longer school days some parents have to work or to school. student need to make a stronger bond with their family instead of beging in school all day long and comucation with their pears with other so they a good friendship with other they dislike that my opion thank you have a nice day
School?
School is good for peoples knowledge and it makes children have better lives earning better money and haveing a good life not struggling to live and eat forcing us on the streets. I think that the school hours are fine as they are... my school hours are: 8:45am until 2:45pm that is six hours. If the school our are extended children ( like myself) wont have time for extra curricular and we wont have much time for homework once we have dinner and get ready for the next day of school and also get ready for bed. We dont need to be under the care of our teachers for the whole day... WE HAVE LIVES!!! so I think it is not a good idea to extend the school hours!
ello
school is for pigs
At my school, we do offer
At my school, we do offer afterschool tutoring. Our first priority is to offer these services to students who need the extra help. Then open it up to students who would like the extra help. We have two programs. One is using the Destination Math and Reading program (this is a web based computer program that students can work on at school or at home) for students who need extra practice in their skills. The other is a type of study hall where they have a faculty member to help them with their homework.
I believe we have been doing this for a couple of years now, but I am uncertain of how long it will last. It does dip into our financial planning, and so far each year the amount of money we receive is decreasing.
It is important to remember
It is important to remember the finacial ramifications for a program like this too. Are they going to be willing to pay staff more for their time spent?
Afterschool time can be
Afterschool time can be structured so that students are engaged in learning but it needs to be very different from the regular pencil pushing, computer remediation programs, and teacher lectures of the regular school day. there are many other things that can be done with students which brings learning in the back door (teaching without their knowledge) A cooking class can very well use math skills, reading skills, measuring, social rules and various other general knowledge ideals that children need. this also gives an adult mentor a chance to talk candidly and casually with students discussing issues of the day or group problems in an unstressful casual atmosphere which gets more results than a formal setting.
Valuable Time, Valuable Opportunities
After-school programming provides opportunities beyond the school day. Instead of playing video games all afternoon, students "may" find out that reading is fun, reading opens doors and windows into life.
Just maybe, with the currently strict adherence to standards-based teaching within the classrooms, after-school opportunities could possibly put some of the fun back into the experience of reading.
When we inspire and develop increased literacy in children, we give them the gift of a fee-time activity that is "free", only requiring their time and attention. Each time we "hook" a reader, we succeed in giving a timeless gift of "habit" to a child.
So let's do that, in whatever way we can. After all, it doesn't matter when or where or how, we all hopefully share the same page on what we want for children.
We use a model for
We use a model for afterschool enrichment that does both. The point is not to provide more instructional time but to provide that opportunity that makes the other school time more effective. The enrichment model could, for example, provide time to apply math skills in a more contexual setting. It's the best of both worlds. This also allows students who can succeed in different settings.
Longer school days or school
Longer school days or school years are not a solution to lack of learning. If our schools are not being effecive now what makes us think that simply adding more time doing the same things is going to be an improvement.
After school should be an opportunity for students and teacers to explore different and exciting material -- not same old - same old.
Yes, I think that
Yes, I think that afterschool programs can be a very good thing. Too many of our students go home to little or no support. However I do believe it needs to be hands on, fun and not as structured as school. Active learning, the arts and movement must be a part of any good program afterschool. A love of learning, and finding the school a fun and supportive place to be will enhance students' academic scores and progress.
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