More Time in School Needed

DENVER - The nation's education chief was in Denver talking about national school reform on Tuesday and says U.S. children need to be in school more.
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Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited two Denver schools Tuesday morning. He toured with Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, who, until this year, was superintendent of Denver Public Schools.

During his visit, Duncan said American schools should be open six days a week, at least 11 months a year, to improve student performance.

"Go ahead and boo me," Duncan told about 400 middle and high school students at a public school in northeast Denver. "I fundamentally think that our school day is too short, our school week is too short and our school year is too short."

"You're competing for jobs with kids from India and China. I think schools should be open six, seven days a week; 11, 12 months a year," Duncan said.

Bennet showed the secretary reforms he made in Denver that could be replicated on a national scale. The Obama administration has released billions in school aid but vowed that reforms will come with it.

Duncan learned about a pay-for-performance teaching plan, and thoughts on making schools more autonomous.

Bennet and Duncan planned to tour Bruce Randolph School, the first autonomous school, and Montclair Elementary School.

"This is one of the fastest growing schools in achievement in the entire city of Denver," Bennet said, before introducing Duncan at Bruce Randolph.

Duncan is looking at Bruce Randolph as a model for the country in turning around failing schools.

Read the full story at 9News Denver.