First, the details. The Chicago public school system is working to move 100 struggling elementary schools to an eight-hour school day in the hopes that this will increase student success. The Chicago school system currently has one of the shortest school days among the nation's districts. Hence, this would be a drastic change, and some worry that students will not be able to adjust. One Principal commented, "I'm very worried about kid burnout."
Not all the details have been ironed out. As we move into July, one form of the "Extended School Day Initiative" describes half of all first-eight graders in selected schools would attend computerized classes in math and reading for two hours at the end of the day, and half would attend them before regular classes begin. Some schools on academic probation could get the program for three to five days a week starting in September, with more to be added in January.
The software proposed to extend the school day raises debate across the Internet. On the positive side, students seem to love it. One fourth grader was quoted, "I think it's awesome. It's very, very fun. I like it because it taught me how to think." It's designed to backtrack to a tutorial if a student gets caught on a problem, and will alert teachers to weak spots so they can address what needs to be reviewed or retaught during classes.
This is the type of learning that many private schools are now incorporating into their curriculum. (Consortium members: You can search I&P articles within your Consortium member area for more insight about The 21st Century School.) There is power behind incorporating technology with education. In this regard, the Chicago public school system is right on target. However …
On the negative side, funding seems to be the largest obstacle. Officials are not clear on the costs yet—which could alter the program or shoot it down entirely.
The Chicago public school system intends to increase class sizes from 30 to 35 to help overcome the deficit estimated to be as high as $600 million. This could be a huge door opener for private-independent schools in the Chicago area! This increase in class size would also mean laying off 2,700 teachers. Teachers would not monitor extended school hours; instead, one idea is to have parents or college students take over the responsibility—which is not resting easy with teachers threatened by layoffs or by parents who fear 35 students is a recipe for chaos without certified supervision.
Students and parents also raise risk-management concerns. The longer school day means that, at certain times of the year, students would be leaving the safety of their campus in the dark. Some of the proposed schools are not in good neighborhoods, and Principals are concerned that parents will have to make sacrifices and adjustments to their schedules to keep their children out of harm's way.
Clearly, the Chicago school system has logistics to figure out. With summer steadily moving along, parents and teachers are eager for answers. Read more about this here.
These changes are a gift for private-independent schools surrounding the city, however. Larger class sizes, as you know, set up flags for all sorts of concerns. Teachers will have even less time to direct struggling students, the quality of lesson plans can fall deeper into deterioration, fewer activities can be scheduled—the list can go on and on. Parents who can make a difference in their child's education, but have settled thus far in the public school system, will be looking for alternatives—they will be almost forced into private school alternatives.
If your school is located in the Chicago area, we want to hear if the changing public system affects your school. Leave us a comment, or send us an e-mail.
You can also read about schools—both public and private—in Massachusetts that have extended their school day. Does Massachusetts has a better idea of how extended education should work?
