A Better Use of Time

There's little doubt that the new elementary school day will likely (fingers crossed) provide some positive results. The fact that every child, within the CPS system, gets 20-25 minutes of recess is most welcome especially in light of the lengthened day.

What remains to be seen is what will the added 52 minutes of instruction look like. A question, no doubt, with plenty of different constituencies pushing different curriculum agendas.

You know CPS officials will want to see ISAT scores rise. Hence these people are likely to demand that more time should be spent on reading, math, and science. Others, like myself, see it differently.

I've lamented the frantic rush taking place in American schools with regard to focusing education (intended or not) on standardized tests. Putting more time and attention on this initiative may very well continue to shortchange student growth in other areas.

I have been in many CPS classrooms and can attest to the fact that a paltry amount of time is allocated to Art, Drama, Family & Consumer Sciences, Music and Physical Education (Shop classes, sorry to say are almost a forgotten subject area). In my view, these critical subjects should get the lions share of the added 52 minutes to the school day.

These courses may not meet the demands of those pushing the testing agenda but they serve the needs of the students!!

Dick