The support programs vary, but generally focus on providing familiarity with A.P. class content to reduce anxiety, improve problem-solving skills, and improve study skills and note-taking strategies. The availability of these programs has the effect of enticing more students to sign up for A.P. classes.

HEY! Is this too much of a good thing? Whatever happened to time for social activities and summer jobs that can provide real-life experience? What do you think?

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has urged schools to use part of the stimulus money they receive to keep summer school going. However, many districts regard summer school as a frill, and are spending stimulus money in other ways.

You might think that students are ecstatic at the prospect of no summer school. This is not the case, however. Many students look to summer school to get remedial help, make up credits, get some required courses out of the way, and participate in fund and enriching experiences.

Please share your thoughts about summer school.

Research has consistently shown that more education is associated with better health, better quality of life, higher income, and a longer life expectancy.  Levy wonders why the school day should end at 3.  This is a good question since work days typically end at 5.  He also wonders if students really need a three-month summer vacation.  In the real world, few people get anything close to that.  We have seen a trend toward longer school years.  In many cases, the school day is lengthened via after-school programs.  Is this enough?  What do you think about Levy’s ideas?

Like people in many occupations, teachers often feel increasingly constrained by bureaucratic rules. In a recent address to the New York Historical Society, the prominent lawyer Philip Howard noted that teachers reported spending half the time in the classroom keeping order because their authority was undermined by students’ “rights.” According to Howard, “We live in a society in which a teacher is afraid to discipline an eighth grader for fear of infringing his rights.”

Teachers, parents, and students may have differing points of view regarding Howard’s remarks.  It is probably true that teachers feel highly constrained, while many students probably feel that they don’t have enough freedom in the classroom.  Parents may be in the middle, wanting their children to have structure, but concerned about possible abuse of authority by teachers.

Let us know where you stand.  Please indicate whether you are responding as a teacher, a parent, or a student.