Longer School Day, Year: Should NJ Add Classroom Time?

While he didn’t name specifics, Gov. Chris Christie made a bold statement and proposal at his state of the state address last week, calling for longer school days and shorter vacation time in New Jersey.

Christie, embroiled in the "Bridgegate" scandal and his office now accused of using Sandy funds as leverage to push through a Hoboken redevelopment project, said New Jersey needs to change its school calendar to keep pace with the rest of the country’s academic achievements.

"Our school calendar is antiquated both educationally and culturally. Life in 2014 demands something more for our students. It is time to lengthen both the school day and school year in New Jersey," he said during the address.

Of course, the change wouldn’t come easy, considering the New Jersey Education Association is one of the largest unions in the country, along with potential pushback from individual school districts around the state. 

So, what do you think? Are you on the governor’s side, and believe the school day and year should be longer? Is it fine the way it is now? Should it be shorter? Tell us in the comments section below.