The recent controversy by President Obama concerning increasing the school year by extending the year for students has raised both critcism and comment by parents. Reducing summer vacation for millions of students in public schools may force having limited options for their child. While many consultant are aware of this trend, it has now become a discussion among both educators and parents.
Mr. Obama says" we need a longer school year to improve the aacademic sucess of our children" -the 21st Century". While much of the discussion is about improving our schools. The other issue is funding for schools, which appears to be at an all time low. Many parent's are now raising the question: whether they can afford to pay for school, or whether there are any options avaiable to famlies who come from low to middle income parents.
The president's intent, although well meaning, seems to have turned a deaf ear to the real change needed, is finding jobs for teachers, and secondly having teachers who will work in a year around program. Budget cuts continue to loom the education industry, with lay offs being more common, than full time positions. Many public school teachers are leaving the field, and more often private schools are doing quite well.
Many parents feel that summer is already too short, while other feel there are not enough school days to educate our children. Some parents say " it will eliminate the core family values, of spending time together in the summer with their children". School administrators, seem more concern about the cost of funding this project, rather than the need to improve performance in underachieving students in public schools. Mr. Obama, says " this is likely not to make parents or student happy, however it is needed to have our kids compete in the 21st Century".
Many parents are afraid, this change, will increased cost for schools and the cost will be passed on to parents, causing greater hardship on families, who are already unemployed. Many students fear this change will further decrease motivation of underachieving students, despite school days. Some students understand the need for having an extended school year, while others are opposed".
Would the decision by the President, also affect summer boarding schools, which already see an increase in cost ? Since the extended school year would not be affected by private school, would summer boarding school programs be appealing? Would attending summer boarding school be forcing parents to enroll their child in a already voluntary program. Would summer and work schedules be changed in a summer boarding school due to this mandate?
Many public school students are already scoring lower on standardized test, despite having been prepared during the regular school year. Many educators, believe increasing the school year will increase test scores, also improving students academic performance. while providing a safe enviroment for students on the weekends.
While many summer boarding student do not attend public schools will this have any affect summer boarding school programs. Summer boarding schools, already have a higher education expectation or curriculum. Many summer boarding schools like Wolfboro Summer Boarding School, in New Hampshire, have a strong programs, which are designed to prepare students for college, are at full capacity.
This past summer, we spoke to Dr. Joyce Ferris, Academic Dean, at Wolfboro Summer Boarding School, about the trend in summer boarding schools. Dr. Ferris is very knowledgable of the trends in the summer boarding school community. She has worked for many years helping families. She states: "While the cost of summer boarding school continues to go up, "-"Parents are still looking for a summer boarding school program, to help their child, entering or preparing for college".
"Schools like Wolfboro, provide thr preparation students need for college, which many parents are keenly aware are not available in public schools. While many parents may question the value of sending their son or daughter to a summer boarding school, most will say the experience has been invaluable for their children". Many more affluent familes continue to send their children to high end boarding schools or summer enrichment programs, simply because they realize college is an essential to future.
As a consultant, we help these parents understand the importance of private education, helping parents sort out, the various programs. and those focused in regular public summer school or community colleges. We help parents examine, by there needs to be an extending school year and what effects it will have on the future of their children.
We help underperforming students achieve sucess and gifted student achieve even greater sucess. Will helping parents understand the importance of test scores improve performance of students? What do you think? Is attending a summer boarding school an option you would choose for your child? What would happen if we did not extend the school year to public schools? How would we prepare students for the 21st Century, not extending the school year? Would summer boarding school continue to show sucess?
