Today I read an article that is easily every child’s worst nightmare.
Children who attend two California schools will be spending 34 extra days in school this year. Due to a clerical error the two schools had 34 days when school was dismissed 5 to 10 minutes early. You wouldn’t think that this would amount to much, but California law states that the days must be made up in their entirety.
Failure to comply will cause the school district to lose 7 million dollars in federal funding. Yikes! The penalty is especially stiff to discourage school districts from shaving time off of the school day here and there.
The unexpected summer school will feature extra arts, music and science and give the students a jump start on the next year’s curriculum. While that sounds all well and good, I am willing to bet that there are an awful lot of disappointed children who were planning on studying things like swimming, bike riding, and going to camp. Not to mention the family vacations that are going to be ruined.
It’s the ridiculous stuff like that, that makes home-schooling look like an awesome option!
Comment by Brigitte — June 25, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Isn’t that a bit of a sledgehammer to kill the fly approach? My kid would probably not be going to school.
Comment by Lucinda — June 25, 2009 @ 11:09 am
I wonder if the teachers are getting paid for this time. Most are paid flat year salaries, and usually, take summer jobs to supplement income. Plus, these teachers who have children in other districts will need to find child care that they would be paying for otherwise.
It is not only the students that loose in this situation.
Comment by Claire — June 28, 2009 @ 11:35 pm