Question

Identify the most effective counterclaim to the statement below.

Schools should extend the educational year to reduce the student learning gap that occurs over the summer.

a. The summer learning gaps are over-reported and under-proven.
b. Extending the school year will cost approximately sixty-six million dollars, and the gains have not been proven.
c. Students would be safer if they were in school because many parents don’t have effective care for students over the summer.
d. Students do not want to go more days and the schools should make the existing days more effective.

Answer 1

D seems to be the correct answer, but it is hard to determine. 

Answer 2

Answer: I would contend that the right answer is the B) Extending the school year will cost approximately sixty-six million dollars, and the gains have not been proven.

Explanation: Just to elaborate a little on the answer, it can be added that a counterclaim is, in basic terms, an opposing claim to the one made. The statement contends that the educational year should be extended allegedly in order to reduce the learning gap that occurs over the summer. An effective counterclaim stresses the extraordinary cost of such measure (of extending the school year) and the lack of evidence that can confirm its effectiveness.