From the
News-Sentinel's editorial yesterday:
State representatives from Blount and Sevier counties believe a state-mandated starting date around Labor Day for all Tennessee students would be a good thing. They have set up a subcommittee to debate the issue.
There's been a lot of talk statewide about starting school later in the Summer, but not much locally. Your thoughts?
Personally, I'd prefer a mandated set of break days, rather than a starting day. Or at least uniformity in fall and spring breaks in the local system. But thats just me.
I've heard that much of the early start involves getting enough teaching time before mandated test dates. If that is true, don't we need to move those dates?
Personally, I'd prefer a mandated set of break days, rather than a starting day. Or at least uniformity in fall and spring breaks in the local system. But thats just me.
That seems like an entirely reasonable request, but it wouldn't have to be state-mandated. The reason for the disparity within our system is because of the different calendars, with breaks for each in between two grading periods. Still, it could be changed.
I've heard that much of the early start involves getting enough teaching time before mandated test dates. If that is true, don't we need to move those dates?
That's very true. The State has authority over the test dates, and the problem would be for them to get the results back to local school systems in time to plan for the next school year.
Neither challenge seems like it would be insurmountable, though. However, a state-mandated calendar would just mean less flexibility for local communities. I think it's kind of nice to have some breaks when other systems are still in school, so that we can go to various attractions when it's much less crowded.
Personally, I'd prefer a mandated set of break days, rather than a starting day. Or at least uniformity in fall and spring breaks in the local system. But thats just me.
I think that these proposals, AND your suggestion should be considered. It would be a benefit to parents that are experiencing your set of problems AT. Single parents have a difficulty with this for obvious child care reasons. This is a good deal of the population of school age children and parents of late. Good suggestion.
I think that a uniform schedule for the entire State for holidays, breaks, start and finish time would be beneficial to both administration and parents.
I think forced uniformity should be avoided. For instance, what would happen to year-round schools like Willow Brook? Besides, I like finishing the 2nd quarter before the holiday break. Scheduling decisions should be at the discretion of individual school districts.