What could possibly be nasty enough to slash recess, eliminate gym class, demolish the arts, cause childhood obesity, increase anxiety, and now, slight of all slights, trim little Susie's summer vacation? But of course: the evil No Child Left Behind Act! Both the Times and the Wall Street Journal report on the "backlash" against earlier school start dates, with groups like "Save our Summer" and "Texans for a Traditional School Year" teaming up with (or getting funding from) the tourism industry. We say hoorah! to their boo-hoos. With most kids spending less than a tenth of their time in school and an achievement gap that imperils the nation, we have three words for this "movement" to shrink student learning time: stink, stank, stunk.
"'Back to School' Comes Earlier," by Anne Marie Chaker, The Wall Street Journal, August 3, 2005 (subscription required)
"As More Schools Open Earlier, Parents Seek to Reclaim Summer," by Michael Janofsky, The New York Times, August 6, 2005