kitchen table math, the sequel

re: Richard Elmore's observation that family's time is a gift, not an entitlement:

This is exactly how I feel about most of my kids' homework -- it's throwing their childhood away.
FedUpMom

One of the reasons we are currently homeschooling the elementary kids, I couldn't take one more scrap booking assignment disguised as literature or math. Not to mention the hours lost to drug awareness, school fundraising pep rallies and watching "Finding Nemo."
Lisa

Last year, my first-born was in enrolled in our local public school in second grade, and although he spent 6 or 7 hours there each day, he came home with tons of homework and a good deal more learning remaining. I started to think, “Why am I sending my kids to school, when the school sends them back to me to educate?” A friend later complained to me that when they gave her son a book report, it meant at least 5 hours of her own time working on it with him. Another parent told me how great the tutoring was at the chain store down the street from her. All this got me to thinking: if I’m ultimately in charge of my kids’ education, why do I feel so powerless? . . .

I assumed that the government knows best what, and how, to teach my kids. It’s an assumption I was raised with, one I never challenged, until now. Well, you know what they say about you when you assume…

“It’s always worse than you think?” Well, that’s what we often say around here.

Another parent gobsmacked by our public schools

Back to School: Part One

Almost the end of the school year... Why almost though? a month and a half, considering the official last day be June 27.

However, students are off the walls, teachers cannot (don't want?) to teach any more. I struggle trying to lecture my students on last two units left in Living Environment curriculum. Yes, I didn't manage to finish the curriculum, mistaken by the calendar from DOE. Well, the Regents exam is on June 20th, I should be able to finish the whole program and review, should't I?
Guess what? I have to turn the 4th marking period grades by May 25th. And what exactly am I supposed to do for another month? And since my students are scheduled to take two more quizzes before June 20th, what should I do with those grades?

And what was all the talk about EXTENDING the school year?

Well, that me, spoiled with my schooling in the Soviet Union... We studied until May 25th. The 4th marking period grades were given on May 26. The year grades were given after final exams (each year, in all subjects, starting in grade 5!) The time from May 25th to June 6 was devoted for finals - no classes. After that - summer break. Back to school-September first. 2 weeks breaks between marking periods. How were we able to cover ALL the programs and finish in time? And do it in 10 years?

What is the point to go to school when the grades are given and noone teaches anything new, and it's hot, and no a/c? I can understand my students who are rebelious these days. I have to remind them constantly, that we still have a bigger goal - Regents... And 12 instructional days left for everything, becauseour school will also hold millions of trips and project weeks before the REgents...