Race to the Top

As I am enjoying the sun shining through the living room window, I decided to flip through the upper reaches of the cable channels. In the 900's you'll find radio stations. I decided to see what was on KUOW, the local NPR affiliate out of the University of Washington. I really enjoy Weekday, when I get a chance to listen, and find Steve Scher to be a great host (ability to ask direct questions, let people speak, and keep the conversation moving).

This morning the program is called "Race to the Top." One thing that I found interesting, which piggybacks off of yesterday's posting, was the quote "there isn't a magic bullet. This isn't rocket science." The speaker mentioned the need for additional time, which I agree with somewhat. I certainly agree with the notion that we need to go into the summer, if for no other reason than the fact we aren't predominately agrarian anymore! What I wonder about is why we can't succeed within the time structure (daily) that we have currently? If you structure your time effectively, what prevents you from making the gains of those who are going 7-5? The other issue is that 7-5 inspires burnout in teachers. My September through December were largely 7-5 days, and I felt awful. Now it wasn't 7-5 with kids, but rather 7-5 with planning on the front and back end. Do I do that now? To a degree, but I leave by 4 or 4:30, and do additional time at home. Alas I digress.