More class time would help improve scores

Just finished reading yet another Daily Herald article and editorial concerning our student's lack of sufficient learning to meet the state requirement, and to continue their education beyond K-12 without 49 percent requiring remedial courses.

In recent years, what to do about the overall problem of insufficient learning in K-12, there have been dozens of ideas discussed and implemented, all having only marginal effectiveness as shown by annual test scores.

Among those ideas include more money, better teachers, improved curriculum, less poverty, on and on. Seldom have I read or heard the simple concept of having the students spend more time in class.

If a school system is looking for a 20 percent increase in test scores maybe a 25 percent increase in class time would provide the added learning. This added time devoted to language, math, and science is needed to meet standards and prepare the students for life beyond K-12.

Let's not see empty schools at 2:30 in the afternoon. Let's not have two-week breaks at Christmas and again in the spring. Let's not have empty classrooms every conceivable holiday. Let's not take three months off in the summer - not many of the students work in the fields these days.

Taxpayers are paying administrators, teachers, utilities and capital investments for 12 months. Let's give them their money's worth with a full year of education.

I am sure if you compare time in class for students in other countries where students far exceed ours in academics, you would also find that their time in class is well beyond what the average U.S. student experiences.

Kenneth Schramer Barrington