Barack Obama's plans to improve schools may involve longer school days and lessening of summer vacations..

He may have fans in both political parties.. but if the changes in times don't mean anything for education, the lengthening of time in classrooms will be pointless. Schools are on strict mandates to teach according to the schedule.. They are rarely permitted to deviate from the lesson plan. Accordingly, standardization of schooling has led to many local communities facing a lack of education about local heritage.. Walk into any kindergarten classroom around Thanksgiving and you'll see both white and black kids dressed as pilgrims--an obvious fact is that when the white pilgrims really landed on the shores of America, black citizens' freedom was generations away..

The standardizing of examinations has also led to a "teach by the book" philosohpy that often ruins a well-rounded and grounded education..

So if the school days are longer and summer is shorter, it will be futile if other more important instrumental changes aren't instituted.