longer school?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/28/obamas-extended-school-year-dire-economic-effects-critics-claim/?test=latestnews
So basically Obama is suggesting that we make school years longer and summer vacations shorter. When i was reading this article are obvious things I agree with. Like the fact that other nations score much higher on their exams than Americans. In general, Americans are not always the most intelligent people.

However, I am not totally convinced that it's the school system that needs adjustment. I mean, yes there are teachers who could care less about their students actual knowledge, they are just going day by day getting paid for something they used to enjoy doing. And some just make it hard on the kids in the classroom, instead of encouraging knowledge and help they flunk kids who they don't like and try to be as unavailable as possible. but that's more about the teachers than it is about the courses.

I mean, I wonder if that did happen if it would actually improve scores? And why do we need test scores to prove anything? I know plenty of people who are brilliant but yet tests get the best of them. More time in the classroom might actually make some kids go crazy. Dealing with apathetic teachers...especially ones who might be working longer and having less vacation.

I think the problems come in on the home front as well. Parents today generally have very little control over what their children do. Kids come home and they play with friends and play video games. They don't work until they are about 18-20. They get their meals made for them. They get everything they want dropped into their lap as a sort of incentive to do better. They are encouraged to play outside but it's not enforced. I think that there is a strong lack of discipline in the home. That parents would rather have happy, obese, unintelligent, non-complaining children than deal with the actual effects of being a strong parent. but then in the end....are their kids really happy? when they find out that at the age of 15 they have early-onset diabetes? when they can't get a job when they turn 18 because they didn't spend enough time learning how to speak English properly? When the world starts holding things back and they are so utterly confused as to why they aren't getting what they want? Homes are filled with empty threats.

Kids lack respect for their parents. Because their parents aren't creating an environment where respect is necessary.

And then there is always the argument that media has something to do with it. Which i think it does. When kids watch their favorite singer or performer on TV and the girls are dressed in clothing that barely (or worse than barely) covers their breasts and their butt. Or men who are running around in chains and baggy clothes, talking like a sailor and degrading women every chance they can. Yeah, great examples. Because the world loves fame and they love attention. and when kids see their 'idols' on TV they want what the world wants and that is to be just like them.

So, in a way i can understand the whole longer school days thing because that's what you can change. You can force that to change. You can't force parents to start being parents. However, I think it would still take action on both sides to produce any sort of positive result.

man, I'm so glad to be done with school ha ha