Earlier first day of school, again?
Several Democratic state representatives filed a bill this week that would erase the Aug. 25 date for start of school.
Instead, it would allow local systems to determine their own schedules as long as the opening day doesn't fall earlier than the second Monday in August.
That would be Aug. 10 this year.
The last possible day would remain the same as stated in current law -- June 10, except in unusual circumstances.
Among the co-sponsors of the measure is Rep. Pricey Harrison of Greensboro.
If this bill gets a hearing, which it likely will, the debate will match familiar foes:
Local school systems vs. the tourism industry and the grassroots Save Our Summers group.
SOS already is following several other bills that would tinker with school calendars.
Personally, I don't like the idea of school starting as early as Aug. 10. (My wife is a teacher, so it does matter to us.) Nevertheless, this ought to be an issue for local school boards to decide. They should be allowed to do what makes best academic sense for them. If that's unpopular in their districts, then voters can elect new school board members.
Bring on the debate.
Comments (7)
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I know what the boards should NOT do and that is add days to the end of the school year instead of taking a few days from spring break.
Posted on March 20, 2009 7:39 AM
Some of the schools have very poor or no cooling systems so it would be expensive and uncomfortable and would promise two sweltering mos. instead of just one if you started Aug. 10.
Posted on March 20, 2009 8:44 AM
Thought Cal Thomas was way off the mark today where he chewed some guy for bitching about AIG guys making big bonuses, telling the guy that he's just jealous and that this guy himself could be the guy getting the big bonuses too, if only he would have studied harder and applied himself, then he too could be a high achiever. He misses the whole point that what the AIG guys did was run their company into the gound. How and why is that high achieving and why do you get a government paid bonus for that?
Posted on March 20, 2009 9:09 AM
I think that Obama's right and we should extend our school year by about 30 days to be more in line with other industrialized countries. I think the shorter school year is a big reason our schools have fallen so far behind.
Posted on March 20, 2009 1:47 PM
Andrew,
Can you share the data that backs your idea?
Here in Guilford County the school board spent about an hour discussing when to make up 3 snow days - in the end vacation won over education as the board voted to add the days at the end of the year instead of during spring break.
I'm sure you took AP classes when you were in high school. When do you think it would have been more beneficial to make up the snow days - before or after the AP exams?
Extending the school year in this county would simply mean more days of kids watching movies.
Posted on March 20, 2009 3:15 PM
Anonymous, it's not really data, just the simple fact that among industrialized countries we have shorter school years and lower performance. I believe the longest school year is South Korea with 225. Of course shorter school years aren't the only reason US education is lagging behind, but it seems unlikely that our kids would be able to learn as much as other students in less time. If the school year were extended, then curricula would be adjusted and AP exams would be scheduled differently. Besides, AP exams affect a minority of students and even those only in the last two years of high school so letting all education policy revolve around them is kind of dumb.
As for making up snow days, that's a different question. I don't know how many days you're talking about and I'm not going to get into a debate about Guilford County Schools.
Posted on March 20, 2009 6:52 PM
Andrew,
AP classes start in 9th grade now in Guilford County Schools. With Grier's push toward having all students take AP classes, I wouldn't say they're in the minority now. Probably 1/2 of all students take at least 1 AP class.
Posted on March 21, 2009 9:46 AM