tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post6179130299284779156..comments2023-07-06T02:38:01.271-05:00Comments on Chicago Mama: The Longest Day: A RebuttalChicago Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846684175685000712noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-91747106366719844772012-03-17T22:23:17.188-05:002012-03-17T22:23:17.188-05:00Anon #3:
I agree with you. It’s ridiculous that ...Anon #3: <br /><br />I agree with you. It’s ridiculous that schools often fundraise to support their schools through an extra aide, ½ a teacher position, etc. I’m curious to know if parents who want a 6.5 hour day do any fundraising (for positions or otherwise) for their children’s schools? <br /><br />I am pretty sure that I have a voice in my children’s education, even if that voice is saying something different than you would have me say: http://littleshoulders.blogspot.com/2012/03/schools-that-work.htmlChicago Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10846684175685000712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-44731407061529363052012-03-17T16:42:18.324-05:002012-03-17T16:42:18.324-05:00"Parent fundraising paid for just 1/2 of a po..."Parent fundraising paid for just 1/2 of a position this year. However, as Sonia Kwon of Raise Your Hand said at the hearing, many North Side schools -- like Coonley, where her children attend -- do use parent fundraising to expand their curriculum and ancillary programs." Those are YOUR words! Whether a full position or half YOUR FUNDRAISING PAID for it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-22488027960878414362012-03-17T09:03:54.790-05:002012-03-17T09:03:54.790-05:00To Anon #3: Please go back and read the comments o...To Anon #3: Please go back and read the comments on Linda Lutton's WBEZ post that you quoted. Disney II parents did NOT fundraise for teacher positions on the longer day: http://www.wbez.org/story/parents-want-their-say-debate-over-longer-school-day-93484Chicago Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10846684175685000712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-16865805794488336042012-03-16T23:27:58.699-05:002012-03-16T23:27:58.699-05:00Caroline Bilicki, president of the PTA at Disney I...Caroline Bilicki, president of the PTA at Disney II Magnet Elementary, said her school should be a model for Chicago's system-wide effort to move to a longer day.<br /><br />"They don't teach to the test ...They get music two times a week for an hour. They get art two times a week for an hour. They get technology...."<br /><br />Disney II's longer day - and added staff to teach all the extras - is paid for by parent fundraising. But there were concerns the North Side magnet school isn't typical of schools in the system.<br /><br />So Caroline you feel it is ok for CPS to push through legislation for a day that they can afford???<br />Not all parents can fundraise for teacher positions - and THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO!!! Thats why we pay taxes - we fund raise at our school just to provide copy paper and machines. CPS needs to do better with what they have and not add to parents plates to volunteer or fundraise for their exploits and experiments with children.<br /><br />Do your research and you will find there is no data to support that a longer day will increase test scores.<br /><br />I'm glad this seems to work for you and your family, but don't push your crap onto the rest of us who would like a voice in our child's education. We deserve to be given facts and looked at as partners in the education of our children. Shame on you for downplaying parental rights!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-90847254617814847092012-03-16T11:35:36.094-05:002012-03-16T11:35:36.094-05:00But why 7.5 hours? And why no funding for student ...But why 7.5 hours? And why no funding for student services?<br /><br />The average school day in the U.S. is 6.64 hours, in Illinois it is 6.5 hours. The top 10-suburban elementary neighborhood schools have a 6.5-hour day and a 175-day year. It includes necessities: lunch, recess, passing time and special classes. (Oct. 2011 Sun Times)<br /><br />There may be different opinions on the exact right length, but no school district in the US has a 7.5 hour day. And no state that has signed on to the Common Core standards (and 45 of them have) has increased its school day to 7.5 hours. <br /><br />Here's a synthesis of 20 years of research on extended learning time; the same issues were raised then.<br /><br />"A study by the Carnegie Corporation has indicated that students spend just under one-third of their time in school, and that they face the greatest risks and opportunities during their discretionary time. <br /><br />Opponents of extended day / year programs recognize the non-instructional reasons that might make longer time in school more attractive, particularly for urban communities where many disadvantaged students reside; nevertheless, they cite the bulk of research suggesting that increased time in school does not lead to greater academic achievement. <br /><br />For example, in a comprehensive review of 20 years of research literature prepared by Worthen and Zstray (1994), little evidence was found to support the link between time in school and student achievement.<br /><br />Opponents of such programs also note the financial problems associated with increased schooling time.<br /><br />The crucial issue is how time is used, with quality of instruction being the key."<br /><br />The funding issue is key to the success of a longer day.<br /><br />In Philadelphia, the district got a $55 million SIG federal grant to extend the day at nine persistently low-performing high schools because the students needed a lot of support services to improve achievement. The money also allows for an optional half-day of classes every other Saturday. <br /><br />Philly did not try to impose a blanket solution, with no funding on all its schools. It has left alone the schools that don't require extra services in this time of a severe economic downturn, and focused on the most deserving schools.<br /><br />The same is true in Houston, Detroit and Massachusetts. <br /><br />Source: Extended School Day / Year Programs: A Research Synthesis by William Evans and David Bechtel from the Laboratory for Student Success, Philadelphia, PA., US Dept of Ed, ERIC <br />Tel: 800-892-5550Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-58778535004265654502012-03-16T08:59:23.548-05:002012-03-16T08:59:23.548-05:00I want my kids home after school for them to be we...I want my kids home after school for them to be well rounded and have after school activities. <br /><br />As for unscientific 7.5, unlike you I don't want my kid to be a guinea pig! I want what is working. Actually at my kids school~the 5.75 day is working, straight A students! But I can see how being on par w/IL avg of 6.5 might be beneficial. As you stated yourself, 7.5 might not be good, too much of anything isn't good. I wonder if this is a way for Rahm to fix the budget, crime and keep kids off the street~bc he doesn't have a handle on crime.<br /><br />What abt next year~when the money is gone that was given Disney? CPS already said that is not funding the day? Then what?<br /><br />I'm informed and educated! I don't want Stand For Children involved in my children's school. As for charters, they rob neighborhood schools of money and their record is so poor~nothing compared to our neighborhood school. Every charter is on academic probation.<br /><br />I LOVE my children and want them home at a reasonable hour. Our family dinner each night is one of the most important parts of all of our days.handmaiden of the Lordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11266730926440523116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-48927591343742378382012-03-16T08:19:46.909-05:002012-03-16T08:19:46.909-05:00Leap of faith, maybe, experiment yes! It may be s...Leap of faith, maybe, experiment yes! It may be something you are willing to do with your children as a "pioneer parent" but I am not willing to do that with my own. CPS' track record at experimentation isn't so wonderful and yes, I understand that you have to break a few eggs in order to make an omelet. My neighorhood has worked diligently for our children's education and as a parent with her children in a "regular" community school (no magnet here) that performs well, I say let the COMMUNITY choose what is best for THEIR children. Why, I ask, is CPS so unwilling to listen to us, is it because they are afraid that we may have the key to their little puzzle?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-25314873961864308862012-03-16T08:16:57.371-05:002012-03-16T08:16:57.371-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.handmaiden of the Lordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11266730926440523116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31514641.post-37948951598937086222012-03-14T08:23:57.388-05:002012-03-14T08:23:57.388-05:00Yes, Caroline, you hit the nail on the head. This ...Yes, Caroline, you hit the nail on the head. This is the most cogent essay I have read on this issue.Mayfair Dadnoreply@blogger.com