Schools should switch to a year-round calendar instead of the traditional September-to-June schedule. Research from the National Education Association shows that students lose up to two months of learning during summer break. This "summer slide" affects students from low-income families the most, as they often don't have access to educational camps or activities.
Year-round schools solve this problem by having shorter, more frequent breaks throughout the year. Students in year-round schools in California showed 10% higher test scores than students in traditional schools. Additionally, teachers report less time reviewing forgotten material at the start of each year. While some families enjoy long summer vacations, the educational benefits of year-round schooling clearly outweigh the inconvenience.
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Many people believe school uniforms are a good idea, but they actually limit students' creativity and self-expression. Students should be able to express their individuality through their clothing choices. When everyone wears the same thing, schools become boring and students lose their unique identities.
Some argue that uniforms reduce bullying, but this claim isn't supported by strong evidence. A study of 90 schools found no significant difference in bullying rates between uniform and non-uniform schools. Furthermore, uniforms are an extra expense for families who already buy regular clothes for their children. Parents in uniform schools spend an average of $150 extra per year on school clothing. Instead of spending money on identical outfits, schools should focus on teaching students to respect each other regardless of what they wear.
Elementary school students should have less homework. According to the National PTA, students should have no more than 10 minutes of homework per grade level. That means fifth graders should have about 50 minutes maximum. However, many students report spending 2-3 hours on homework each night.
Too much homework causes stress and takes away from important activities like family time, exercise, and sleep. Research from Stanford University found that students with excessive homework experienced more physical health problems and higher stress levels. When children spend all evening on schoolwork, they miss opportunities for creative play and developing social skills.
Of course, some homework can be valuable for practicing skills learned in class. But the current amount is simply too much. Schools need to find a better balance between academic work and letting kids be kids.