Ten-Hour School Day in Harlem? Sign Me Up!

(CBS)  At a charter school in one of New York's toughest neighborhoods, the day begins with a pep rally - loud and proud.

But the rest of the day? Self expression is way more subtle. CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports a simple hand gesture keeps kids in line.

Deborah Kenny founded Harlem Village Academiesin 2003, after the sudden death of her husband. It was her wake-up call.

"I decided that education would be it," Kenny said. "I feel that education is the issue that solves all other issues."

So Kenny searched for the best teachers.

"We hire really smart passionate driven people and then give them the freedom and the respect to run the classroom as they see fit," Kenny said.

Chartering School Change
Deborah Kenny Interview

Students are fitting right in. Fifth grader Shyan Freeman used to be afraid to go to class. But after being here six months? She now says, "I'm doing so much better. They really care about me."

The school is strict. Students are required to remain silent in hallways. They can be in school up to 10 hours a day.

They're mandated to read a minimum of 50 books a year.

If students score lower than 80 percent on an exam they're sent to a tutor after school.

When students enter Harlem Village Academies in the 5th grade, the majority are reading at a second grade level. By the time they leave for high school, 92 percent are reading at grade level.

In math and science, students achieved a first. For two years in a row 100 percent of them passed state required tests across the board.

"This school is trying to set the example to other schools to put the discipline on the students," said one student. "If we can do it then every other 8th grader 6th grader can do it just like us.

That's something worth believing in.

[Labyrinthia]

I want to see the data. How much does it cost (yes, if you spend twice as much per pupil you'll see better results- duh). How many kids leave. How is the reading level tested. How does this school's population compared to neighboring schools. How many students have IEP's. Etc, etc. It sounds like they may be weeding out students and families.

Some charters are fantastic, wonderful places making a real difference. The majority, however, aren't performing much higher than other school, many are performing worse. Many are sucking the dedicated parents and students out of neighborhood schools, making neighborhood schools dumping grounds for high risk and disabled students.

[skeezix06]

Burn-out is still a hazard. I would be more interested in statistics compiled by an independent source for kids who have been in the program for 5 years or more who went on to college. I'm also not seeing any statistics on drop-outs. The fact that the school has existed for seven years doesn't really mean anything.

[dsnj1-2009]

I agree with Deborah Kenny-very smart woman:

"I decided that education would be it," Kenny said. "I feel that education is the issue that solves all other issues."

In China, (where many of our jobs have gone) kids LOVE to go to school, and excel in all areas, because they want to succeed. Success in this country also depends on education, and I am very glad to see this Harlem school take the lead. We cannot be competitive at all unless our children are educated and competitive with other countries.

[skeezix06]

Two thoughts when I saw this story.

Do these kids ever see their parents and isn't this more or less what republicans used to rail against?

The danger of burn-out over the long term. Just because it works as a short term measure doesn't mean it will work as a long term permanent change.

[dsnj1-2009]

If you read the story, this has worked from 2003-2010. The kids are succeeding and they are not burned out. What is the alternative, to have them drop out and doing drugs, and killing people because they are desperate? I don't think so-look, they are succeeding, so this needs to be replicated around the country. HARD WORK and studying IS the answer. Of course they will see their parents after school and all weekend. I wish many others would stop dummying down and look at priorities-Deborah Kenny was absolutly right when she said:

"I decided that education would be it," Kenny said. "I feel that education is the issue that solves all other issues."

[askagain]

correction

Wow. Who would think that an inner school in a rough neighborhood could be so successful? These kids are getting the biggest gift possible. A good education in a structured, disciplined, and demanding environment. Further, these kids are learning self-discipline which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. For the poster who feels an eight hour day and summers off are important, more important is that these kids get a good education and develop a good self-concept. In a different school, these kids would be relegated to a poor education and few opportunities for a good and prosperous future. What these kids are getting is much more important than a shorter school day and summers off. Hopefully, school systems everywhere will try to emulate this school and the achievements of both its students and teachers.

[askagain]

Wow. Who would think that an inner school in a rough neighborhood could be so successful? These kids are getting the biggest gift possible. A good education in a structured, disciplined, and demanding environment. Further, these kids are learning self-discipline which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. For the poster who feels an eight hour day and summers off are important, more important is that these kids get a good education and develop a good self-concept. In a different school, these kids would be relegated to a poor education and few opportunities for a good and prosperous future. What these kids are getting is much more importanct than a shorter school day and summers off. Hopefully, school systems everywhere will try to emulate this school and the achievements of both its students and teachers.

[harp1963]

That's wonderful that these kids are doing great. I hope the kids will always get their summers off and that 8 hour school days remain the standard though.

They'll have the rest of their lives to work 10 plus hour days and might get two weeks of vacation after 10 years of service in some companies if they are lucky.

"Work three jobs until you die" is what most Americans are facing today. Competing with a nation like China, who has a billion peasants for American and other international companies to exploit, as long as the leaders of China get some kick backs from the companies, will lower our wages and increase our work hours for sure.

So let's allow the kids to experience what we all took for granted and enjoyed when we grew up. Eight hour school days and summers off from school to just be free, not just a social security number plugged into "the Matrix" until we die of old age and exhaustion.

[hateisafourletterword]

Congratulations to these students and the faculty.

RI, maybe there is hope for your failed school. Maybe you need to adapt this system in Rhode Island.