Moms Talk: Is It Time for a Longer School Year?

Every June, kids can't wait to get out of school. Summer is associated with leisure activities such as camping, Disney vacations, hanging out with friends and lazy afternoons watching television on the couch.

But is it time for summer to be an extension of the school year? Compared to counterparts in places like Japan, South Korea and New Zealand—which spend anywhere from 190 to 243 days a year in school—students in the U.S. spend less time in the classroom, at an average of 180 days a school year. Some American private schools also currently have longer school days, and many of them outpace public schools when it comes to test scores.

President Obama has advocated for a longer school year, citing the need for American students to be able to compete in the global marketplace. However, extending the school year would be costly for local districts and taxpayers. But do the benefits outweigh the costs?

Here's this week's discussion topic:

Is our system outdated?

Do you notice a lag in your child’s academic abilities after a summer break and would you be willing to adjust to a shorter summer break if it improved your child’s education? Or, do you feel that to prepare our students for the 21st century we need to re-evaluate our schools and create modern learning environments?

Are you concerned about our country’s international competitiveness in education and would a longer school day better position American students for this competition?

Please take a moment to weigh in on this debate in the comments below.