th in terms of number of require school days. Japan leads the pack with 243 days of school, followed by South Korea with 220 days of school. Both countries are among the leaders of countries that have the highest education totals.

"We can no longer afford an academic calendar designed when America was a nation of farmers who needed their children at home plowing the land at the end of each day," Obama said. "That calendar may have once made sense, but today, it puts us at a competitive disadvantage. Our children spend over a month less in school than children in South Korea. That is no way to prepare them for a 21

st century economy."

Obama makes it very clear that education is on the top of his list of priorities. He knows that his idea is wildly unpopular, but he is convinced that this is in the best interest of American children.Obama cited that one-third of 13 and 14 year olds in the U.S. cannot read at the appropriate age level due to their "race to the bottom" mindset, and that states are comfortable with low expectations for their students.

Though many people disagree with Obama’s plan, others think he and his Secretary of Education Arne Duncan are truly advocates for a better education system.

There have been many responses from American students, including Jonathan Law sophomores Amna Siddiqui and Colleen Mair.

Siddiqui said, "I don’t feel that we should have an extended school year because there is less time for students to enjoy summer vacation and that wouldn’t be fair."

Mair agreed. "It might be good because there would be more time to learn, but it is also aggravating to others who need time to relax and take a break from school," she said.