tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107540561838935097.post3393006679144540081..comments2024-03-29T06:19:40.000-05:00Comments on Brainerd Lakes Chamber: Don't Tamper With Minnesota's Summer Traditionadminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388476700206890394noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107540561838935097.post-39254015304728420082010-10-08T20:23:41.100-05:002010-10-08T20:23:41.100-05:00This view is short-sighted and selfish. There are...This view is short-sighted and selfish. There are other businesses in the area outside of tourism and the reliance on tourism has not served us well in the recent downturn. Many of the resorts in Crosslake have closed. In our manufacturing business, we can't find high school graduates up here that can read and write, which restricts our business growth. We need managers to come off the shop floor, which has not been possible because of the poor educational preparation of the local students. I don't know if this currently holds true in other areas of the state or not, but I do know that many of the suburban school districts have longer school years than we have in the Brainerd area. Recent studies have shown that study time is the road to proficiency. Students in other industrialized countries spend much more time in the classroom than do Americans, and the idea that we can lengthen the school day is a red herring, as it would interfere with sports. Tradition is rarely a good basis for policy. The state of the current educational system is embarrasing and legislating its continuation is frightening.Margo Jordannoreply@blogger.com