The structure of our schools has changed very little in over 150 years. Across the United States, students spend an average of 6.6 hours per day in school (Rhode Island is one of five states where students spend less than 6.3 hours in school each day; in Texas, students are in school almost 7.2 hours per day). Students attend school for an average of 180 days each year, varying from 171 to 184, depending on the state. The length of the school day and the schedule of the school year were set in the 1800s based on very real health concerns: making sure that students wouldn’t overheat or be exposed to filthy urban conditions (before modern sewage), that they weren’t walking to and from school in the dark, and that their brains weren’t being overtaxed. However, we know a lot more about brain development and optimal conditions for learning these days; it’s time to examine our school schedules with fresh eyes.
Our society has changed dramatically since the 1850s, as has the home life of most children – today, almost half of all families (47%) are headed by two working parents, and almost a third (32%) are single-parent households. During the late 19th century, most mothers worked in the home and childcare was not an issue; in fact, many children were needed at home early to help with household chores. In 1900, only 51% of all children ages 5 – 19 were even enrolled in school; compulsory school attendance laws vary by state, and many of their first iterations only required a minimum of three months of school attendance per year. The National School Lunch Act, which established a federally-funded school lunch program, wasn’t passed until 1946; even then, most kids either brought a bag lunch or went home for lunch. Today, most schools have electricity, heat, indoor plumbing, and even air conditioning. Many students take school buses or public transportation to school. Over 30 million children eat a school lunch each day, and over 21 million of them are entitled to that lunch for free or at a reduced price.
Many of the things we do in education are constrained by the school schedule. How many teachers complain that they don’t have enough time to cover all of the material in the curriculum? How many times have we heard high school students complain about the early start time (or their parents complain about the early end time)? What do we know about education and brain development? First, as I wrote in a previous column, we know that several short recesses spread out throughout the school day can help students’ brains synthesize information. Perhaps a longer school day could allow us to accommodate these recesses. Research (along with most teachers and parents) tells us that if a child does not engage in any educational activities over the summer, she will experience the “summer slide” – a loss of up to two months of achievement. Summer reading and math packets help, but they can’t replace the interaction of a student with his peers and teacher. (Many schools have implemented Year-Round Education (YRE) schedules to address this concern.) We know that the most dramatic period of brain development and growth occurs between birth and age five – yet most formal education programs start after that. We know that extended day programs that offer engaging learning opportunities for kids, such as the Providence After School Alliance (PASA) show strong results. We see that high school students perform better when school starts later for them (and schools in 43 states are experimenting with later start times). We know that hungry children can’t learn and thrive, and that many of our children rely on the meals they receive at school; that is why the city of Providence has continued to offer a lunch program this summer, even though our schools are not open.
It is time for us to incorporate all of the things we have learned into our schools, to make them places that are more conducive to learning for all students, and that includes having the courage to challenge the traditional school schedule. Change is scary, and sometimes it is hard; but it is the only way we are going to make things better for our children. Albert Einstein famously defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” We know that we could be providing a better education for our students, and one of the ways to do that is by re-examining our schools’ schedules. Isn’t it about time?
Lauri Lee is an independent consultant with over twenty years of experience in both public and private education, with learners from infants through adults. With experience in marketing, communications, social media, development, admissions, and technology, she is able to synthesize many of the issues facing our educational system today. She lives in Providence with her family, a big dog, and a small cat. She encourages you to connect with her on Twitter @fridovichlee or to contact her directly at [email protected].
Related Slideshow: Top High Schools in Rhode Island 2014
Claim to Fame: School principal Scott Sutherland was named Rhode Island Principal of the Year in 2014 by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals.
Claim to Fame: A structure based on the Diploma Plus Model fosters positive relationships between parents, students, teachers, and administrators and creates powerful learning experiences that will motivate students to grow and succeed.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Peter Kilmartin (Rhode Island state representative and current attorney general), Kevin Lima (Disney animator and film director of the films A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, 102 Dalmatians, Eloise at the Plaza, Eloise at Christmastime, and Enchanted), and Abraham Nathanson (developer of the game Bananagrams).
Claim to Fame: Times 2 Academy constantly exposes its students to guest speakers, internship opportunities, college fairs and job shadowing opportunities to encourage their students to embrace their futures.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include David Macaulay (author and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator), Aaron Fricke (gay rights activist), Johnny Goryl (MLB player for Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins), Jon LaRose (MLB player for Boston Red Sox), Daniel Stewart (first openly gay elected mayor in New York State history-Mayor of Plattsburgh, New York), Linda Nochlin (leading abstract expressionist artist), Peter and Bobby John Farrelly (film directors, producers, authors), Suzanne Martin (Emmy-award winning television producer), and Annette Nazareth (a Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission).
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Jamie Silva (Indianapolis Colts free safety), Claudia Jordan (model and reality TV star), T.J. Del Santo (Meterologist at WPRI-TV), Brent Martineau (Sportscaster), David Franklin (Scientist/Entrepreneur), Kim Schifino (Musician in Matt and Kim), Jennifer Lee (co-writer of Disney’s Wreck It Ralph).
Claim to Fame: Central Fall’s Chess Team has experienced incredible success and finished in the top 10 at a national tournament that had over 5,000 competitors, as well as receiving funding from star powerhouses such as Alec Baldwin’s Foundation.
Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts
2013 Rank: #23
Enrollment: 167
Claim to Fame: The schools shares prestigious artistic patnerships with RISD, Sandra-Feinstein Gamm Theatre, Fusionworks Dance Company, Athletics, Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club, Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, and Aurea.
Claim to Fame: Famous athletic alumni include Tom Mellow (played in the NHL, won a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics), Vinny Pazienza (former World Champion professional boxer), Mike Stenhouse (played in the MLB for the Expos and Boston Red Sox), Curt Bennett (an All-Star NHL player), Joe Cavanagh (Captained Harvard University’s hockey and tennis teams), Ray Jamieson (Oakland Raider’s fullback), Greg Oden (New England Champion Springboard Diver).
Claim to Fame: The school offers a Entrepreneur 360 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a 60-hour program for students supported by NFTE. Students learn about the concepts and the skills necessary to create a business, sharpen their work ethic and help grow their confidence.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Mark van Eeghen (former NFL Pro Bowl running back and the only person ever from Cranston West to have their number retired in any sport), Anthony Meo (baseball player), Jeff Diehl (baseball player), Tom Denucci (actor), Amber van Eeghen (former cheerleader for the New England Patriots).
Claim to Fame: The school sports a School Improvement Team that brings staff, students, community members, and parents together once a month to have their voices heard concerning how the school can be tailored for success.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include James Woods (Emmy-award winning actor), Chris Terreri (College All-American, Olympian, and two time Stanley Cup winning NHL goalie), Patrick Sheehan (PGA professional golfer), Dan Wheeler (Major League Baseball pitcher).
William M. Davies Career and Technical High School
2013 Rank: #29
Enrollment: 833
Mascot: Patriots
Claim to Fame: Davies ensures that Parents are heavily involved in the curriculum through the Parent Involvement Policy, which is a program supporting the development, implementation, and regular evaluation that includes parents in all grade levels.
Claim to Fame: The school is heated entirely by recycled wood chips in order to preserve the environment. The school also sports an Energy Lab that enables students to develop career pathways in stem agriculture. Their colors are green, and so is their mindset.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Bill Almon (baseball player) and Damian Constantino (baseball player, holds NCAA record holder with hits in 60 consecutive games).
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include John Orlando Pastore (Former Governor of Rhode Island, US Senator), S. J. Perelman (American Humorist) Bruce Sundlun (Former Governor of RI), Rudolph Fisher (pioneering Black radiologist and writer of the Harlem Renaissance), Irving R. Levine (Former NBC News Economics Correspondent), Frank Licht (Former Governor of RI), George Macready (American actor), A.O. Scott (Chief New York Times Movie Critic), Stanley Fish (Literary theorist and legal scholar), Michael Kang (Filmmaker), C. M. Eddy, Jr. (Renowned Author), Lauren Corrao (Comedy Central executive; helped develop That '70s Show and Mad TV for Fox),William A. Barnett (Economist), Robin Green (Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning television producer for The Sopranos and Northern Exposure, among others), S. Hastings Richardson (Author) Alexander Knight (Poet), Angel Taveras (First Latino Mayor of Providence).
Claim to Fame: Janice Anderson (Assistant Production Manager of Cirque de Soleil), Tom Cavanagh (Forward, Worcester Sharks), Sara DeCosta (Goalie, 1998 and 2002 U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team),Tony Petrarca (Chief Meteorologist, WPRI-TV), Brian Shanley (President of Providence College), David Petrarca (Director whose work has included Big Love, True Blood, and Hung for HBO; over 40 world premieres including Marvin’s Room on Broadway and West End, Fuddy Meers in NYC, and A Year With Frog and Toad on Broadway).
Claim to Fame: Students have the opportunity to bask in the spotlight in the Husky News Network, a student news organization where students can serve as anchors, camera men, and content writers.
Claim to Fame: Famous alums including Bebe Buell (model, singer, mother of actress Liv Tyler), The Cowsills (family singing act that was the inspiration for TV’s The Partridge Family), Tanya Donelly (co-founder and guitarist of the band Throwing Muses), Joanna Going (actress) Paul Gordon (keyboardist and guitarist for the B-52’s and the Goo Goo Dolls), Kristin Hersh (co-founder of Throwing Muses), P.H. Horgan III (PGA Tour player), Van Johnson (actor), John Mellekas (professional football player), David Narcizo (drummer for the band Throwing Muses), M. Teresa Paiva-Weed (President of the Rhode Island Senate), Jerry Sullivan (sports columnist at The Buffalo News), Noah Jewell (Olympic gymnast).
Claim to Fame: Students have the opportunity to work in The Confucius Classroom, a public educational institute established in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at Bryant University under the sponsorship of Hanban. The classroom is dedicated to developing globally competent students through an understanding Chinese culture, language, and economic trends.
Claim to Fame: Middletown High School has enacted a specific Professional Learning Community in 2013, a program geared to make fundamental shift from focusing on teaching to an area of learning where students and teachers collaborate.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Dr. Thomas DiPaola (Education leader in RI), Henry Nardone, Sr. (Member of URI Foundation, RI Board of Regents), Dennis Algiere (Current RI Senate Minority Leader), Dr. John Toscano, (Chairman of Dept. of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University), Daryl Finizio (Lawyer, New London Mayoral candidate, Westerly City Council), Peter Lewiss (RI State rep, judge, lawyer) Diana Blanda (Actress/Singer).
Claim to Fame: Scituate High School’s “Schools for Schools” club has raised thousands of dollars for Invisible Children to help Uganda defeat the children soldier crisis there.
Claim to Fame:Famous alumni include Bill Reynolds (Providence Journal Sports Columnist), Phil Madeira (Award-winning Songwriter/Musician), Judy Clapp (Recording Engineer who has worked with Dwight Yoakham and Bill Frisell) Brian Howe (film and television actor) Marceline Hugot (a film, television and Broadway actress) Brett Quigley (PGA golfer) Shanna Moakler (Former Miss USA, Playboy Magazine model and ex-wife of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker/star of MTV’s Meet The Barkers), Spalding Gray (Monologuist/Actor) Matthew Broome (New England Amateur Golf Champion).
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Donald Carcieri (Governor of RI), Suzanne Carcieri (First Lady of RI), Debra Messing (Actress), Mark Zito (Radio Host) and Leeann Tingley (2006 Miss Rhode Island USA).
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include David Cicilline (US Congressman and former Mayor of Providence) and John DeCubellis (lawyer/judge, General Counsel to National Education Association RI).
