http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090927/ap_on_re_us/us_more_school

WASHINGTON – Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way.

Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe.

"Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas," the president said earlier this year. "Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom."

The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go.

-Rest in the article-

Thoughts?

EDIT: It's President Obama, not President Obaba.

From the other thread:

Kids do need to go to school longer. The state of American education is not necessarily one I'd put on a high pedestal. If I had it my way, I'd want our system to reflect the Japanese school system. Of course if I had it my way I'd do away with most forms of public education becuase it doesn't seem to be working that well. Either you do it all the way or you don't do it all but this "half-assed" one we got now isn't getting the job done.

Something obviously has to be done- the american education system is poor compared to other countries. The drop out rate is far too high and the quality of the education is really starting to diminish. Rather than extend school time,

I'd argue to get better teachers (I've had about 7 that just absolutely hated their jobs and only continued because it was their source of income), and a more focused curriculum.

As a canadian citizen, the J man has no idea how the american education system works.

Whats so wrong with it? How long are the summer breaks? When does school start and end during the day?

I've visited schools several times (one of my friends is studying to become a teacher), and the problem isn't the length of the day, or how many days there are. The problem is kids who don't listen or even care, bad teachers who don't care about the kids, lazy and disengaging lesson plans, and a generally incompetent system of higher-ups who don't know anything about teaching kids. 20 extra days wouldn't make a big difference if most kids can't even pass as proficient in reading and math. Seriously, I can't think of many things easier than being proficient in a school subject.

Kids in East Asia and various other regions of the world perform better than American kids because their system is better and their parents push them harder to succeed.

School last for 5 days a week, and last from about 8AM-3PM, or about 7 hours. Summer breaks are about 10 weeks, starting between late May to early June, and ending in Early August to Early September.

I have no idea what's exacly wrong with it, but I'm already overbooked with the current system with school, homework, and extra-cirricular activities.

Oh, that'd be interesting. If it'll make people smarter, I'm for it.

I figured it was inevitable. I mean, it's been only a tradition for so long. 20 extra days wouldn't really annihilate summer vacation (though it would be a sad loss)

Like Montana said, though, i'm not sure it would be a necessary or effective solution, but i figured it's something that's bound to happen.

Id rather have 2 hours more of school daily, I finish grade school this year

It's because of video games, anime, music, movies, and internet forums.

*glares at everyone*