In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The New School.”
You get to redesign school as we know it from the ground up. Will you do away with reading, writing, and arithmetic? What skills and knowledge will your school focus on imparting to young minds?
If I was given the opportunity to redesign the education system as we know it in the U.S. The first issue I would tackle is to initiate year round school with thirty days a year for vacation. All national, religious and cultural holidays will be separate days off based on the individual student.
The school day will become a half-day. Students will arrive at their school for three classes per day during the morning. Students are expected to complete their assignments if given when they return home. All homework is emailed to the teacher for checking and a copy sent to the parent. Online assistance and tutoring will be available.
Mandatory class size will be, one teacher for ten students for elementary level students. One teacher for twenty middle school level students and one teacher for thirty high school students.
Parents with the help of the teacher can choose the curriculum and focus for what they determine their child should learn. The choices will be based on the child as they continue through the school system.
All learning instructions will be consumed and delivered by a book or an electronic device. 50-min classes times with a ten-minute break will be the standard. All students are encouraged to bring their lunch or snack;
Elementary and middle school students remaining after school will be monitored within a classroom by teachers. Classroom monitors will allow parents to view and monitor their child at all times. Parents will receive all curriculum assignments via email, text, and automated voice mail.
School extracurricular activities will focus on music and creative arts.
School districts will build partnerships with local, state and national businesses in a field of study including athletics.
Sports activities will be sponsored by the Boys & Girls Clubs and the local Parks & Recreational departments within the school district. Participation will be the responsibility of the parents.
Psychical fitness activity will be achieved by some form of cardio exercise two or three times a week and this activity is recommended before, or after-school. Participation will the responsibility of the parents.
Educational field trips will are sponsored by museums, corporations, and businesses at the local, state and national levels. Local universities, colleges, and trade schools will partner with school districts to ensure a steady flow of students for their institutions. Exchange students programs are encouraged and recommended within and outside the US.
By spreading the academic year across a twelve month period, reducing the school day to half, will also reduce the volume of shool lunch preparation. School breakfast will be available, however, it is the responsibility of the parent to arrange for the students arrival for breakfast.
The new school system will partner with local nonprofit sports organizations and sports clubs to provide organized games for middle and high schools students. Accredited daycare organizations will care for children at the school until parents arrive. Lunch time meals, afternoon snack’s and early dinners will be provided by the daycare organizations.
These redesign ideas will reduce expenditures for the school district allowing teachers to receive yearly pay increases between two and five percent based on seniority.
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