Posted at: 10/29/2009 3:54 PM
By: Elaine Houston

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A Longer School Day?

I reported on a story this week about a proposal to extend the length of the school day.It's a topic that has come up before. This time it was the President of the United States broaching the subject. Mr. Obama says U-S students are unable to compete with students globally, especially in math and science where test scores are low.

Some say this is an idea frought with problems including how to extend the day and honor teacher contracts, decide which schools or if all schools should participate, and figuring out if every student will benefit from a longer school day. Not to mention parents having to adjust their schedules and or babysitting arrangements. I talked to all the experts but what do you think?   Are all the excuses getting in the way of educating students?

While you ponder that, here's another perspective regarding education.  The two young actors in the blockbuster movie "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" are putting their trust funds at risk because of truancy problems. One has showed up to school only 37-percent of the time, the other 27 percent. The two get a monthly stipend and each has a trust fund, set up by the filmmakers, with the stipulation that they must attend school and graduate. Their busy schedules which require them to travel to Paris, Cochin and Chennai are said to be the reason for their absences.  

Just something to think about.

Elaine