According to 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, school days are too short and provide a significant burden to working-class families.
Harris is planning to propose a bill that would essentially force schools to stay open from 8 AM until 6 PM, which would allow parents enough time to finish up their workday before picking up their children from school. The current school calendar is bad, according to Harris, for children and parents because it leaves moms and dads scrambling to provide transportation and care for their kids at the end of the education day, as well as all of the days schools take off that the federal government doesn’t recognize. Because of this “misalignment,” parents are having to choose between full-time work and staying home with their own kids. Mother Jones reporter Kara Voght claims that this decision disproportionately affects women, though she says that all working-class families are feeling the financial squeeze of having to pay for childcare.
From Mother Jones:
“That burden typically falls to women, a million of whom work less than full-time in order to keep up with caregiving responsibilities for elementary school-aged children. This hardship is particularly pronounced for low-income mothers and mothers of color, who are the most likely to have unpredictable or inflexible work schedules.”
The average school day is also having a negative impact on the economy, she claims, stating that “the United States loses $55 billion in productivity each year” as a result of parents catering to the school’s schedule.
Harris’ proposal is allegedly shaped by the findings of Catherine Brown, a researcher from the left-leaning Center for American Progress, which suggests that we need to “reimagine school so it’s better for kids and better for families.”
As a means to research her suggested plan of action, Harris reportedly wants to give $5M each to 500 pilot schools to adopt this schedule over the course of five years. This would mean that schools are open from 8 AM until 6 PM, and only close for “weekends, federal holidays, and emergencies.” Following the end of the five-year test run, the Department of Education would release a report on the effects of the proposal on “parental employment, student performance, and teacher retention rates” which will allegedly be used to fine-tune the program, probably for national implementation.
“My mother raised my sister and me while working demanding, long hours,” Harris recalls. “So, I know firsthand that, for many working parents, juggling between school schedules and work schedule is a common cause of stress and financial hardship. But, this does not have to be the case.”
It is worth noting that the academic day would not last longer, but schools would be obliged to supply extra activities for kids whose parents are not able to provide immediate transportation home as the result of their work schedules.
Twitter was quick to respond to this suggestion, with many people thinking that this is a ploy to further indoctrinate children via more time in government-funded schools:
Michelle Obama: “Oh, you enjoy your school lunches? I’m taking away everything that tastes good.”
Kamala Harris: “Oh, you hate school? I’m extending the school day by several hours.” https://t.co/g9xGrEUqNi
— Caleb Hull ??? (@CalebJHull) November 6, 2019
It won’t get much attention, but Kamala Harris’ plan to enact a TEN HOUR school day, 8 AM – 6 PM, is both disturbing and revealing. Democrats are trying to replace the family with the State. That’s why they keep extending the amount of time kids spend in school.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) November 6, 2019
They also want to ban private schools… people have the right to educate their children how they see fit
— tshurt51 (@travis515151) November 6, 2019
A big part of the Kamala program you commies don’t appreciate. NOW the kids can be hungry at school for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. https://t.co/VV1FUnt6FA
— KGB Asset Kayla Natasha James? (@RealKaylaJames) November 6, 2019
it really is impressive upon reflection how terrible Kamala Harris’s political instincts are, every policy she unveils is like the opposite of where the winds are blowing
— Sarah Jaffe (@sarahljaffe) November 6, 2019
Kamala Harris wants to turn schools into full time babysitters. I used to spend as many hours as a normal workday in school growing up and it absolutely sucked. https://t.co/Rh0po7nesG
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 6, 2019
Still, others believe that the policy proposal is the solution they’ve craved for a problem that has gone largely unremarked upon.
I, and every working mother in America, feel seen by this policy proposal. Thank you @KamalaHarris ?? https://t.co/xcNDJNZphu
— Katherine Goldstein (@KGeee) November 6, 2019
Growing up as a ‘latchkey kid’ only child with a single struggling mom I see the benefits from the other side. From 4th grade – HS I got home from school 4+ hours before my mom. I can only imagine the positive impact of having like an after school music / art program instead.
— Thɘ Wɒƨ ᙠunny ?? Kamala 2020 (@TheWasBunny) November 6, 2019
Kamala see you. She cares.
— Georgia (@Georgia52997737) November 6, 2019
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