I don't like the way education in general is heading in the past 10 years or so. It's all about bullisht methodical standards, standardized test, mission statements, blah blah. Whatever happened to learning and appreciating knowledge and developing creativity? We have to understand that there are always smart kids and the "not so smart kids." No amount of legislation or anything else will ever change this.
People always whine and moan that we aren't the top educational performer in the world. Why is this? When other countries get their average in areas like math or science, they only test the top 25% or so, the ones that qualify to attend college or advanced technical training. Here we test everyone from the Harvard bound to the special education/LD students, and that of course will skew the statistics out of our favor. I'm not saying our system is perfect by any means, but I think we need more heart and less standardization. Do what works individually!

If they took away recess in the school system that I teach in, I'd quit. It's as simple as that. Kids NEED recess as much as they need reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and the arts.

Plus, you think kids are fat now...just wait. Recess and PE (once a week) are often the only physical activities kids get. It's sad.

I agree that arts are an important part of education but please don't knock the technical highschools.

We have several highschools in Toronto that are technical and commercial schools. While I never attended one, my brother did and these schools have excellent prgrams. These kids develop a skill early on which in turn leads them to good careers. In fact, the government of Ontario is promoting trades programs because there aren't enough skilled trades people in our province.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I stopped having recess after grade 6. I don't think it should be completely eliminated either. It's helpful for kids, especially since gym (phys. ed.) and recess is sometimes the only physical activity a child gets.