School's out. Who cares?

It seems Gradebook readers are just too busy working to worry about summer break for kids. We asked, "School's out. Is summer vacation in Florida too long?" You said:

• Doesn't matter. We're all working anyway to make ends meet. 186 votes - 53%
• No, everyone needs time to recuperate and visit family. 114 votes - 33%
• Yes, school should start earlier in August. 49 votes - 14%

Now we want to know what you think about the idea of districts saving money by going to four-day weeks. Click on the poll in the upper left corner of this page to weigh in. And please, if you have any ideas for future questions, or any other thoughts about the Gradebook in general, please send an e-mail to solochek@sptimes.com.

Comments

[CrazyIdea]

I think the idea of a 4 day work week for schools is crazy. Kids attention spans would not last through the long days we would be required to teach those 4 days a week. It's hard enough now keeping their attention. Also, what would parents do with their kids for the fifth day each week? They already pawn them off plenty.

I think that a 180 school year is too short. The state would get much more bang for the buck by paying to lengthen the school year than it currently does from class size reduction. Teachers would make more money. Students would perform better. Poor parents would get more "subsidized day care" to work.

Ironically, it was the deputy chief of staff for the "education Governor" that decided to regulate the school calendar at the state level, so I guess that we can't improve education unless Universal gives its ok.