Learning doesn't stop once children exit the classroom

In discussing the state of our education system, Obama was quoted as saying, "Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas… But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom." (msnbc.com)

The thought process being if we wish to be competitive with other countries, we must focus more of our time on school. According to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, we spend 25-30 percent less time in the classroom than foreign countries. But what are those countries giving up in their quest for educational dominance? When does education begin to hinder rather than help?

Being the parent of a 2-year-old, I have not yet faced the concerns of school through the eyes of a parent. But I hear from parents with children in the Carroll County school system that school is far from over when their children step off the bus. First graders have 2-3 hours of homework a night. In addition, the parents are sent their own list of tasks to accomplish on a daily or weekly basis. And let’s not forget about the all too important standardized testing time, when the earth stops rotating on its axis and parents, students, and teachers must study for tests that serve no real purpose aside from determining a school’s budget for the next year. In addition, parents and students are expected to participate in school functions outside the realm of education: chaperoning field trips, attending sporting functions, and raising funds for the school through constant fundraising.

Elementary school used to be a stepping stone, a foot in the door, to teach basics, and prepare children for middle then high school. These days, children are being treated like high schoolers right out of the gate. Parents are being told children’s elementary school careers are determining factors of how they will do later in life. I don’t know about you, but I know plenty of people who would be doing a lot worse (and some better) if elementary school was a true indicator of their adult life.

I remember starting school when I was 5, no preschool for me, and then I only attended half-days. My kindergarten class consisted of interactive play that taught me my ABC’S and 123’s. It seems now the kindergarteners are expected to learn as older children do, with less play and more book learning. The ABC’s and 123’s are expected to have been taught prior to what used to be a child’s first year of school. I understand the science behind this, children under 5 are better able to learn and retain information, such as numbers, letters, and languages. But that doesn’t change the fact that they are antsy, squirmy little creatures who need to be taught in an interactive atmosphere rather than from behind a desk. I’ve heard of teachers telling parents of 1st and 2nd graders that their children lack focus and will have no hope of a good education if it isn’t reigned in now. But, and it’s been awhile, I remember most 1st and 2nd graders lacking focus. Shouldn’t the teachers have some way of garnering their attention? Helping to make it interesting enough that they want to focus?

Since teachers already have complaints about children’s attention now, what will happen when children are expected to be in the classroom 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, 11 months a year? When will they have the time to recoup, unwind, and start fresh? Children need decidedly more down time than adults, their brains and bodies are still growing, at warp speed some times. This requires more sleep, and when kids are stressed, just like adults, sleep is restless.

And in all of this hubbub about competing with other countries, are we forgetting the importance of a well-rounded child? A child exposed to sports, leisure reading, playing on the swings, enjoying a movie with their family, as well as school assignments. Countries way ahead of the curve in education, allow their children to miss out on most of these things. But if a child doesn’t have the opportunity to be a child while they are attending school, when will they have the chance? These same countries also have students who attend graduate school well into their 20’s.

I think the approach here is off. Before we start adding time to school, why don’t we do more with the time we have? Give teachers the tools they need to make their classrooms a place of learning for children with all types of personalities, not only those that are easy to deal with. Give back the time that is taken away to focus solely on standardized tests. Reduce the amount of written homework and assign interactive assignments. For instance, if you are working on conversion of measurements, have the children help make dinner. Longer hours and more days is not the answer to a better school system. Focus on our children and don’t worry about how well other countries’ students are doing. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t a competition, and maybe if we stop treating education like it is, then we may see some results. And most importantly, let’s remember, school needs to be a part of children’s lives not be their life.

**Published Eldersburg Advocate 11/3/09