Nah, that would not be very mature.
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The case against summer vacation
- Thread starter SFG75
- Start date
SFG75
Well-Known Member
Why is this in mature discussion anyway? Do we not want the kids' opinions?
I think Aqua's urological thread has more reason to be here than this one.:whistling:
I guess when I posted, I was thinking that "mature" would mean "debate." Anything dealing with religion and politics was to go here as I remember.
Ah, gotcha.
What would be reasons not to ditch summer vacation?
What would be reasons not to ditch summer vacation?
joderu95
New Member
And not a 'mature' discussion, simply a place for the profession to receive its just dues.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
The main argument for keeping things the way there are is that kids will "burn out" and that they need a release. If we drive the kids non-stop for long school days, then the thinking goes, they will be clinically depressed chemists or actuaries who hate their lives and who have no creativity. That, or they will invent alter egos by the name of Tyler Durden that is only real in their heads.
I don't know if maintenance needs would be a major drawback to the year round school idea. Having two or three week breaks for the kids allows the custodians to mop and buff the floors, not to mention working on wear and tear issues dealing with doors, windows, air conditioners, etc. If a school had a major thing done such as re-roofing, that would be a bit more complicated. You could still have this occur and have school. You would just have to have teachers double-up in one room and put up dividers. Some districts even rent trailers or "huts."
I can't speak for the U.K., but the U.S. is going through a huge change right now in education. Obama's "race to the top" initiative is going to roll back a lot of traditional things. From teacher pay, to always letting go of the new guy on the totem pole if there is a RIF, some long held notions are going to the way side. Heck, his plan even promotes the formation of charter schools! Not bad for a socialist.:whistling:
I don't know if maintenance needs would be a major drawback to the year round school idea. Having two or three week breaks for the kids allows the custodians to mop and buff the floors, not to mention working on wear and tear issues dealing with doors, windows, air conditioners, etc. If a school had a major thing done such as re-roofing, that would be a bit more complicated. You could still have this occur and have school. You would just have to have teachers double-up in one room and put up dividers. Some districts even rent trailers or "huts."
I can't speak for the U.K., but the U.S. is going through a huge change right now in education. Obama's "race to the top" initiative is going to roll back a lot of traditional things. From teacher pay, to always letting go of the new guy on the totem pole if there is a RIF, some long held notions are going to the way side. Heck, his plan even promotes the formation of charter schools! Not bad for a socialist.:whistling:
I don't think the kids will burn out, especially if those eight-ten weeks of summer vacation are sprinkled throughout the year.
abecedarian
Well-Known Member
Just last week, my sophomore admitted she was ready for school to start because she was bored. Once swim team season was over, she was ready to go back. I'm not sure about her older brother, but I know he misses daily contact with his friends. As long as teachers resisted the temptation to dump huge projects on students as they head into one of those long, shorter breaks, year-round school might be enjoyable for them too.
joderu95
New Member
You'd get resistance from the teacher's unions simply because they tend to resist change. The argument is also made by teachers that need that time for classes for themselves, second jobs, surgeries and, my personal favorite, "because that's how we've always done it."
abecedarian
Well-Known Member
Ah yes, Tradition! Suddenly I have this urge to watch Fiddler on the Roof again. It's been too long:lol:
Zolipara
New Member
One good argument is that you tend to lose a lot of time just before and after any kind of vacation. It might be better for the students to stay focused at learning during most of the year and then have the time to properly relax when they have a vacation.
joderu95
New Member
Very true. They go on cruise control a couple weeks, at least, before summer break and take another week in September to get going. With multiple smaller breaks they might be even less efficient.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
Some of that is true. What is also true is that if you extend the school year, you will have to pay teachers more money. Teachers are paid in the U.S. over 12 months for what they work in 9. If you did that, teacher pay would be caught up to other professionals who possess an M.A.
I have worked the last four summers and choose to do so as I will make more money doing that than I will in mowing lawns or painting houses. I'm sure my colleagues would choose to teach in the summer over doing that kind of work. Really, after two weeks, you are ready to head back. I imagine the kids are too after the "thousand yard stare" is etched in their faces after being in front of the X-box for 12 hours a day during the break.
On a different note, it really burned me up when parents would hand you a note about junior being gone for one last family trip during the second week or third week of school.
joderu95
New Member
It's all true unfortunately. These are arguments I've heard teachers make when I suggest the idea. Who said anything about extending the school year? It's a reorganization of what summer break should look like if there's one at all. Lengthening the school year is a separate conversation. (Paying teachers over 12 months, by the way, is just an option for how you receive your salary and typically you can also opt for slightly larger paychecks spaced over 9 months.)