Through the 2024 campaign, the cost of daycare kept coming up in speeches and debates. Early education and childcare could be joined together. Take San Francisco, for example, where school closures due to low enrollment are a growing issue. Schools in disadvantaged areas could support early childhood learning programs and save working parents, especially moms, both time and money.
Imagine if schools had a longer academic calendar (around 230-250 days), and kids learned through play to avoid ‘summer learning loss.’ Underused schools could even work as rec centers. Teachers could get more pay for extra days, and the cost could be shared by local, state, and federal funds, plus help from philanthropists. Why not pilot this idea with a few charter schools where people are interested? We need affordable childcare and early learning, so why not try combining both?
I’m so burnt out just working the standard 180 days a year. Everyone on campus feels it. The burnout we’re all experiencing by October is wild. The large class sizes make it tough, and I really need the long break to recharge and reconnect with family before coming back. For many teachers, the 180-day schedule is what makes the job manageable. Adding more days could lead to more teachers leaving.
@Sage
I feel the same way. Even if they raised my pay to $100k, I’m not sure I’d have the stamina for more days. The recovery time is essential, and if teachers have to fill in more parental roles, it’s just too much.
@Dr.Smitha
Exactly. Other jobs don’t come with the same load of IEPs, 504s, behavior plans, and specialized support plans. Yes, people get stressed in any job, but working with a group of students with such diverse needs takes a real toll. I love my students, but the constant evaluating and monitoring are exhausting. Plus, you often don’t get breaks, like waiting until passing periods to even use the restroom.
@Sage
I’m not proposing a complete overhaul. Maybe a few charter schools could try it out, with less oversight, and aim for parent-led support. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all.
madisonwilson said: @Sage
I’m not proposing a complete overhaul. Maybe a few charter schools could try it out, with less oversight, and aim for parent-led support. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all.
If the goal is just to please parents, that’s not something teachers would want to sign up for. We’re educators, not just there to keep parents happy.
@Sage
It’s surprising how suggesting one small change to the system gets people thinking it’s meant for every school. Just one change in 5% of large city schools could make a difference without impacting everyone. I’m definitely not suggesting a huge reform for the whole system.
@madisonwilson
Reading it again, I understand why people thought it was a big system-wide change. Even if it’s small-scale, I think the funding could support parents so they get more family time. Schools don’t need to take on even more responsibility than they already do.
Honestly, we should be focusing on universal paid time off for parents. European countries have 4-week minimums for paid time off, not to mention paid holidays. When I worked abroad, the standard was high, and teachers even had 65 days of leave for the year. We don’t need more school days; we need more time for families to be together. There are alternatives like adjusting school breaks to reduce learning loss without extending the school year. Universal childcare would be a huge help, though we’d also need proper funding and support for it to work.
@TomHarris
I totally agree! It’s frustrating because it feels like the U.S. prioritizes profits over supporting families. Our system isn’t set up to make these changes easily, but it’s so necessary.
MissNicklaus said: @TomHarris
I totally agree! It’s frustrating because it feels like the U.S. prioritizes profits over supporting families. Our system isn’t set up to make these changes easily, but it’s so necessary.
@TomHarris
I don’t want to push anyone into anything. If parents aren’t interested, then this idea isn’t necessary. Some parents, especially in higher-income areas, might prefer long summer breaks for family travel. But for working families, a flexible school option could be helpful.
@madisonwilson
Education isn’t a business or a product; it’s a service. Public schools serve diverse populations, including students with various needs that aren’t always present in private or charter schools. Adding a choice model could make things even tougher on low-income families. Many schools already partner with tech schools or community colleges to offer choices, but what families really need is stability and support outside of school.
@LearningLeader1
The ideas are good, but funding is the challenge. Education should be accessible to all, but that means the government has to support these services fully.
Mike said: @LearningLeader1
The ideas are good, but funding is the challenge. Education should be accessible to all, but that means the government has to support these services fully.
We could start by closing tax loopholes for corporations and billionaires to fund these kinds of programs.
@TomHarris
If you’re suggesting state and local property taxes go towards education, that could work, but I think people would have strong opinions on wealth redistribution for schools.
@LearningLeader1
It’s true that charter schools are gaining in popularity, possibly because public schools sometimes struggle to meet varied student needs. In charters, families and teachers often feel more involved by choice, and students benefit from having peers and staff aligned with their goals. Public schools could benefit by learning from this model to offer more choices without making drastic changes.
TomHarris said: @madisonwilson
Parents mainly want more time with their kids, so if public schools focused on flexibility and support, that might be the best answer.
Fair enough. Let’s keep traditional schools as they are and just offer more options. No need to impose anything.