[Drew68]

Raising children incapable of competing globally will have even more dire economic consequences.

That being said, I think the problem lies in the quality of education American children receive, not the quantity.

[wombtotomb]

While quality is most assuredly a huge problem, the long summer break is as well. Most of the first semester each year is spent remembering all the stuff they need from last year to move forward. I think it would be a much better system to get 2 weeks or so off every quarter and let them go year round. It is my preferred method for homeschooling as well.