Why can’t kids have their summers back?

Many years ago in this spot, I advocated for the traditional American school year – nine months of schooling with the summer and holidays off.

As a parent, and a former (technically) child, I cited the financial hardships for parents in securing child care, and the benefits of a full summer for kids, as reasons for my stance.

Then, a number of years later, in another column, I changed my mind, advocating for not just a year-long school year, but a school year of 8 a.m.-5 p.m., every Monday-Friday, 52 weeks a year, minus Christmas day and Thanksgiving.