Why aren't the school days longer?

I am a firm believer that our school days should be increased in length. I personally think children should be in school from 8 am to 4 or 5 pm. I do not think there are enough hours in day to truly teach our students all necessary information. Whenever I have discussed this proposition with other teachers, I have received nothing but backlash. Many teachers stay afterschool until 5 pm and beyond on a regular basis. These teachers feel that they would “never” get out of school this way. I, on the other hand, feel that if a longer school day is approached in the correct manner, teachers would have no need to stay at school late.

I did a lot of my schooling overseas at private schools. I had to go to school from 8 am to 4 or 5 pm (depending on the school). I think that students should have art, music, theater, a language, and physical education on a regular basis. In saying a regular basis, I mean that students should have each of the above referenced classes at least two or three times a week depending on the class. A class like physical education and language instruction, I think should be given four to five days a week. I also think that these subjects should be taught by a specialist in that field. If you have students attending specific classes for each of these classes, teachers will have the time to lesson plan throughout the day. The teachers will not have to stay after school to complete the work.

In the end, I believe that everyone benefits from a longer school day. The students end up with a much richer and deeper education. Teachers have the opportunity complete all work during the school day while being able to cover more material with their students. Teachers can also focus on the broad spectrum of what materials need to be covered versus trying to cram the bare minimum of information down the students’ throats. Finally, parents also benefit from a longer school day.  Today, the “normal” family is not the stay at home mother with an at work father. The “normal” family” consists of single parents, both parents working, or a stay at home parent. Keeping this in mind, it can be very difficult for working parents to juggle and figure out childcare for their children for afterschool. If children were in school longer, parents would one less worry.