Being a single parent is most likely one of the hardest jobs someone could have. Despite how many kids one has, working and providing for them is extremely difficult. Finding affordable and safe childcare is hard. When their children get to school age, parents should be relieved that finally, they can send their child to school while they work. That is not the case we find, however. With the hours of school that is in session and not enough access to childcare, it is still hard for parents to find the balance between being a good worker and a good parent. The hours that schools run and the lack of before and after school childcare make it still very difficult for parents to find time to be with their kids.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average number of hours in the school day is 6.64. The average school day ends at about 2:50 or 3:00 and starts at 7:00 or 8:00. Those hours do not coincide with the hours adults work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average number of hours for full-time workers is 8 hours. With the average workday starting at 9. Single jobholders also work 8 hours, and people with only a high school diploma work 8 hours as well. Parents have to come to the hard decision of either spending money on childcare or else taking off work to pick up or drop off their child or work. Parents should not have to decide between losing their job, money, or time with their families.
Hours in the school day are not the only problem parents are facing. The lack of childcare is a battle as well. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2008, out of the 49,700 public elementary schools, 56% had some form of after school program. 46% had stand-alone daycare. Even 24% of areas with concentrated poverty have access to after school programs as well, according to the After School Alliance. That leaves a high number of families who are trying to make ends meet without any assistance from educational facilities. If school hours are inhibiting parents from attending work, having no childcare is also an issue. It also results negatively for children involved. Having no after school enrichment and assistance can contribute to low school involvement and commitment, higher drug, and alcohol use, and it increases the number of arrests. Not only does it help parents, but it also helps the students become successful.
With these facts, schools changing hours to fit parents’ schedules better, and providing parents with better childcare makes sense. Parents should not have to choose between taking off work and not making money or having their children be in school. If the school day started at nine and ended around four, it would better accommodate the parents. These ideas would help parents by having them take their children to work before school. It would also help parents to find someone to pick up their child if needed. Parents would not have to leave work early or arrive late because they had to take their child to school. The increased access to after-school care would also assist families and, ultimately, the children by providing them with programs if they do have to work longer than 4:00. Teachers who work long hours can be paid overtime, and money for this bill can come from the federal level. The department of Education could use ESSA funds, and Title l can also increase to help. Programs such as the 21st Century and other after school care based programs could also provide more compensation for longer school days and better after school care. Let us help the families of our communities grow more reliable and better by providing more convenient school hours and expand after school care.
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