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Pass out the dictionaries — American students are drastically, terrifyingly behind the curve in reading. Fewer than half of fourth-graders, for example, knew the meaning of the word “eerie.” Overall, students who were tested only knew about half the words they were expected to recognize.

Pass out the dictionaries — American students are drastically, terrifyingly behind the curve in reading.

Fewer than half of fourth-graders, for example, knew the meaning of the word “eerie.” Overall, students who were tested only knew about half the words they were expected to recognize.

Facing $34 million in funding cuts, Florida’s Marion County is the latest school district to shift to a four-day week. While four-day school weeks are particularly popular in rural areas, more and more urban communities are considering the change as they face a weak economy and severe education cuts. Marion County, a mix of the urban, suburban and rural with about 41,500 students, will become the first school district in Florida to make the switch. The district expects to save $4.5 million from cutting a day of school bus runs and other operating costs. The remaining four school days will be lengthened to keep class time the same. “We know it’s not the best for kids, it’s not the best for parents and it’s definitely not the best for our community, but it’s a decision that the school board made based on money only,” district spokesman Kevin Christian said.

Facing $34 million in funding cuts, Florida’s Marion County is the latest school district to shift to a four-day week. While four-day school weeks are particularly popular in rural areas, more and more urban communities are considering the change as they face a weak economy and severe education cuts.

Marion County, a mix of the urban, suburban and rural with about 41,500 students, will become the first school district in Florida to make the switch. The district expects to save $4.5 million from cutting a day of school bus runs and other operating costs. The remaining four school days will be lengthened to keep class time the same.

“We know it’s not the best for kids, it’s not the best for parents and it’s definitely not the best for our community, but it’s a decision that the school board made based on money only,” district spokesman Kevin Christian said.

Would you work harder if homework counted for only 10% of your grade? »

Los Angeles thinks so.

If you made teaching a profession that was as respected as being a doctor in this country, the entire profession would change overnight. We wouldn’t have an education debate anymore. We wouldn’t need education reform.
Sam Fragomeni, Principal, Harlem Village Academy Middle School, New York City

(Source: thedaily.com)