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Why do American schools have such long hours?

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The structure of America’s school calendar may seem counterintuitive—and in many ways, it is. The Atlantic investigates some pressing questions, such as why American students have long summer breaks between school years and yet such short gaps between each class.

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Additional references

Time in school: How does the U.S. compare? - Center for Public Education

There is a perception among policymakers and the public that U.S. students spend less time in school than students in other countries. This brief takes a closer look at the data to answer the question: Do U.S. students spend less time in school than students in other countries?

Why summer vacations should be shorter - The Atlantic

Why is the school year almost always limited to 180 days? And why do most schools still operate on an agrarian calendar with a huge 12-week break in the middle? The Atlantic investigates.


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