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Sorry, kids. President Obama wants to extend the school year by a month.
"That month makes a difference," the president said Monday in an appearance on the 'Today' show. And while "that's going to cost some money," he said, "that would be money well spent."
Obama's interview kicked off a special NBC News series on education.
"There's nothing more important than the issue we're talking about today," he said. Students in China, India and other fast-growing countries are already leaving U.S. students in the dust, he said. "They have caught up and, now in some cases, have surpassed us," the president added.
But simply throwing money at schools won't fix them.
"Money without reform will not fix the problems," Obama said.
His administration's "Race to the Top" program is forcing states and school districts to improve, but Obama said parents need to get more involved in their kids' education.
Getting personal, Obama said his daughters couldn't get the same quality education at a Washington, D.C., public school that they get at their private school.
"I'll be blunt with you: The answer is no right now," Obama said when asked whether daughters Malia and Sasha could receive as good an education as they do now at the Sidwell Friends School in affluent northwest Washington.
Source: New York Daily News
Kevin Eason is a freelance editorial cartoonist and illustrator from New Jersey. His brand of satire covers news events in politics, entertainment, sports and much more. Follow him on Facebook.
Comments: (9)
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By: poetrysez on 9/28/2010 2:13AM
I agree with OUR President (210) percent! Your blog is accurate and straight to the point ;)
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By: The Truth on 9/28/2010 10:19AM
Extended school at the taxpayers expense is not the answer.
Parents need to step-up, be involved and pitch in.
The burden of ones "Lack of" education should not be put on those that are not bringing these children into the world. 9 MONTHS of FREE school is ENOUGH!
I Stepped up, help raise my kids and spent time with them AFTER school to make certain they completed their HOMEWORK!
RESPONSIBLE Taxpayers should not continue to be FORCED to step up to the responsibilities of others, just as they should not be responsible for those being enabled to remain on section 8, welfare, free health care, food stamps and any other enabling socialist program.
This is BULLSH–!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: bob on 9/28/2010 8:01AM
If the teachers are not teaching now, what makes you think that an extra month is going to make a difference? Nobody can be that ignorant, there must be another agenda. The federal government has no business in the education of our kids leave it to the states.
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By: TTHud40 on 9/28/2010 9:12AM
Sending the kids to school for an extended month isn't going to make the kids do any better than what they are doing now, If the individual child don't have the initiative he/she can go to school for the rest of their life and not learn anything. They are just trying to increase their ideals of indoctrination and mind control on these children, that is what it is. You go to school from Kindergarten - 12th grade, then do an additional four years in college and can't find or keep a job due to layoffs or whatever curve ball life throws your way. All the Education in the world don't make your life secure, that is FUTILE. Education don't make you smart, it just indoctrinates you to think how THEY want you to think. Life Experience is what makes you wise.
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By: jeanhumphreys on 9/28/2010 5:30PM
Since it is imposible to lock up teenagers, the next best option is to keep them in school as long as you can. They aren't as likely to get in trouble there as on the street. As for the teachers; If they aren't capable, extra pay will not increase their value. I also disagree with the idea of giving them tenure.
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By: Random Half Hispanic Woman on 9/29/2010 2:55PM
Here is my view on teachers: Both my parents are teachers, and only one has a job now. My dad works at a high school in LA, and is struggling financially. He does not even get paid what he is supposed to get payed. And now must take a class to prove he is a bilingual teacher, (Even though he was hired as one...) and he must pay for it. What people do not understand is how can a teacher find the time to plain good lessons if they have to spend time at unnecessary classes, how can they buy supplies for their students if they can't buy food? You may ask 'why do they have to buy supplies?' The answer? No one else is going to buy them. My father teaches a computer class, mice and other hard ware is always going missing or being broken, funding is so small that the technicians have been let go, meaning all their responsibilities are now on the teacher. Yes, schools need funding, teachers need to be paid at least what they are promised, and more everyday people need to try to help, IF they can. If they are also struggling, I can see they must take care of themselves first. Yes, money will not solve all problems, but it may help. Yes, we must try to improve our system, but we can't do it too fast. Ease the stress of teachers, (even a little will help) before stressing them more.
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By: Helen on 10/06/2010 6:03PM
Hey Bob,(9/28/2010) I can tell you're not too "educated". If we had left education up to the States in the 50s and 60s where would this country be? Remember....Segregation???? There were lots of the "States" that wanted to keep it that way, but thanks to the Federal Government.............they didn't!!! Maybe another month or so in school would have help you. No body can be that ignorant, right????
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By: reddy on 10/07/2010 11:59AM
I think extend year around long will be up to American business leaders and parents to decide whats the best for american children's education...I saw funding of education is decreasing..Thats not right for the teachers to pay for the supplies for the kids..They should knew better..
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By: Student on 10/13/2010 11:19AM
I am a student in the eastern states. I am a Freshman (9th Grade) But I think this idea is not good because us as students need time with our families and Summer fun. Extending school in a month isnt going to do anything its just going to get us students more annoyed because we need more free time. The only free time we get is half the afternoon and weekends. I talked to my guardian and he even agrees. I always had good grades and making school for a month is too much. What i think the president should do is a disciplinary school like for example an Alternative Learning Center (ALC) for the bad students in local school districts. Mr. President we barely have the summer to our selves why add a month if its just going to get us more annoyed than what we are now.
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