Extended School Hours
By: Laura Simon
Updated: December 4, 2012
CARL JUNCTION, MO.--- 40 schools in Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Tennessee plan to add at least 300 hours to their school year. Carl Junction Superintendent, Dr. Phillip Cook says there are many views on the best methods of education reform.
"There's some research out there that says extending the school year will improve student performance. There's research that says the contrary," says Dr. Cook.
Nearly 20,000 public schools students will be part of the 3 year pilot program. In the meantime, Dr. Cook wants to focus on efficiency in the classroom.
"We want to take the time that we have with our students. Right now we go to school 174 days. That's what Missouri state statute says. We want to take those 174 days and give our students the most highest quality education," says Dr. Cook.
Carl Junction High School Student, Alan Gloshen says he fears longer school days equal shorter summers.
"I don't like it because I'm just a kid, I mean summer's like the best part of the year for you to just relax and enjoy yourself. You can't shorten summer," says Gloshen.
School officials in favor of the initiative believe more time in school will boost student achievement and make U.S. schools more competitive on a global level. When it comes to improving student performance, Carl Junction Superintendent Phillip Cook says good teachers are more important than the amount of time in class.
