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November 12, 2007

Extend school day

The fact that Lowell school leaders are again considering an extended-day program at two of the city's middle schools is good news. The bad news is that School Committee members and union officials apparently don't know much about the plan.

Certainly, we know why children aren't performing to their full potential -- because our kids aren't spending enough time learning mathematics, science, history and English. Now we need a detailed plan that will allow the city to obtain additional grant money to keep schools open longer.

The typical student receives fewer than six hours of instruction a day for 180 days a year. And that's not considering time lost to absences, assemblies, field days and similar activities. There's simply not enough time to learn and truly comprehend all the information students need to be successful in college and careers.

The current thought is to add an additional one hour and 45 minutes to the school day at the Stoklosa and Robinson middle schools. It's a good idea and one we hope can be implemented.
A similar plan was attempted more than a year ago, but regrettably an impasse between the administration and the teachers union scuttled it.

We are concerned that union leaders and School Committee members say they have heard very little about the new effort to extend the school day. It is imperative that everyone be on board if this plan is to reach fruition.

We realize it's early in the planning process, but it would be prudent for Superintendent of Schools Karla Brooks Baehr to include board members, administrators and teachers in her planning efforts and keep them informed of the progress being made.

The need to improve our students' academic performance is an issue nationwide. Clearly, it's time for Lowell to grant our children the additional hours they need to survive and thrive in a global economy.

We urge the city's educators to work together to successfully implement a longer school day in Lowell.

Posted by Admin at November 12, 2007 11:31 AM