Longer Day/ Longer Year

In 1991, the National Education Commission on Time and Learning did a comprehensive review of the relationship between time and learning in the nation's schools.  The findings were published in April 1994 in a document called "Prisoners of Time."  The bottom line of this review indicates that the United States has the shortest school day and shortest school year.  In a nation that is considered to be one of the most sophisticated societies in the world, I find it unacceptable that we do not give adequate attention to this issue.  I would hope that our California Master Plan could lead the way and address this issue more boldly. A longer year could address more time for students to learn as well as the staff development and training concerns already addressed in the plan.  It would also allow for more opportunities for students to develop skills (through apprenticeship programs) to prepare for the world of work in addition to better transition plans to prepare for college.  Will it be expensive? Yes! However, I see many other concerns addressed in the plan that will require planning resources to implement.