While some speakers at a forum defend the concept of a 7-hour day, others say the real problem is the decrepit state of city schools, and too few teachers.

08:17 AM EST on Friday, February 27, 2004

BY LINDA BORG
Journal Staff Writer

Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman MARY SILVIA HARRISON, director of the Rhode Island Children's Crusade, was among the speakers supporting a seven-hour school day during a public hearing last night at the Roger Williams Middle School in South Providence.

PROVIDENCE -- For the first time in the debate over a longer school day, parents came to the microphone, but what they had to say was not what the Board of Regents had hoped to hear.

"Lengthening the school day is like putting an extra plate on the table when there isn't any more food," said David Fremming, a member of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN.

Another parent and activist, Rhonda Bleeker, of Providence, said her daughter often comes home hungry because her middle school has run out of food by the third lunch period.

A teacher cited the sorry state of the Roger Williams Middle School, where last night's public hearing was held. Pointing to stained and missing ceiling tiles, he said that every time it rains, water seeps into the cafeteria where students eat lunch.

"For five days, we were out of heat," said Chris Price, a teacher at the middle school in South Providence. "Students had to wear their coats and jackets. That's five days of quality teaching time -- gone."

Fix these problems and we might begin to talk about issues like a longer day, teachers and parents said.

In each of five hearings, Education Commissioner Peter McWalters' proposal to adopt a seven-hour day has taken a beating from every possible constituency: teachers, unions, superintendents, even parents. McWalters also wants to add 30 minutes to teachers' day to make sure that they have time to plan common lessons and review students' work.

Until last night, only one person among hundreds, the president of the Rhode Island Parent-Teacher Association, had spoken in favor of an extended day. But last night, three people -- including a retired teacher -- said that students would benefit from having more time in the classroom, and teachers would benefit from having more time to meet with parents and colleagues.

Providence needs a longer school day because its Latino students have been neglected for too long, according to Juan Lopez, a former member of the Providence School Board. They drop out of school at much higher rates than their peers.

"Let's give these kids the same amount of instruction as the kids in the suburbs," Lopez said. "Every extra minute they're in school, they are not on the street. These kids need to be in a place where they're safe, where they can learn. Let's give this a chance."

"These regulations are long overdue," said Mary Silvia Harrison, the director of the Rhode Island Children's Crusade, which provides mentoring to disadvantaged children. "How can a teacher be available to give students extra help? How can teachers meet with parents? This is a bold and important first step."

McWalters has said his proposal is largely aimed at Providence, because it has the shortest school day -- 5 hours and 45 minutes in elementary school -- and some of the worst student-achievement figures in the state.

By contrast, many of the suburban districts are already offering 6-hour-and-30-minute school days, so the jump to 7 hours shouldn't be as onerous.

For the first time, a retired teacher, Charles Gormley, stood to support McWalters' proposal. According to the Rhode Island Department of Education's own research, he said, teachers reported that the biggest barrier to education reform was the length of the school day.

"Please lengthen the teachers' day by 30 minutes," he said, "and give the excellent teachers a chance to work with the least effective ones."

Gormley was interrupted and booed when he accused the regents of encouraging teachers to consider themselves hourly wage earners rather than professionals.

Several students also shared their thoughts on the extended day.

"Why are you making our day longer?" said Elvis Pena, 16, of Providence. "We don't have enough teachers now."

A couple of students said their days are already too busy. One said she goes to work after school, while another said he rushes home to care for his younger sister.

"Last year, my instrumental music teacher got fired," said Saul Castillo, 11, of Providence. "This year, my grades are falling."

One speaker after another said Providence needs more teachers, especially in music and the arts; it needs money for textbooks; it needs money to repair long-neglected buildings; and it needs money to help those students who come to school tired, hungry and unprepared to learn.

Last night was the final public hearing on the longer school day. Now, a subcommittee of the Board of Regents will discuss the extensive public commentary before making recommendations to the full board, which is expected to vote on the proposal in late April.