The bill has garnered massive public support. In fact seven in 10 Maryland families say they’d like to see school start after Labor Day. But it’s a tricky time of year to propose a shorter school year, as many Maryland school districts are grappling with mounting snow days.
But Franchot is not concerned about snow days. He points to Garrett County, which he says sees the most snow and plans its calendar smartly to avoid extending the school year.
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10 comments:
John Fredericksen is adamantly against it and fighting it as we speak. He wants local control. He wants to tell his employees what to do and when they can take a sh!t.
Needs to have the professional days. Perhaps if someone looked into it they would find "Teacher Workshops" are produced by Mrs. Frederickson's employer.
For several years my children attended school in Florida. They started after Labor Day and ended the Thursday before Memorial Day; all with having a Christmas Vacation and a week of Spring Break. Spring Break was the week after testing to give the students a rest after testing.
If Maryland didn't have all of the Teacher Professional Days,etc they school year could be shortened. Many teacher friends say that these are wasted days. They should use their free periods during the school day to complete their grading, etc and not hang out in the Lounges.
We start early to help those who score low on state tests. Starting in August gives our worst elementary students an extra 7.5 hours of reading and the same of math before testing in March, an average of about an hour per month more than starting after Labor Day. Don't try to see the fairness or logic. Just realize which group is always the priority.
The local boards already have the power in determining their schedule. Wicomico could change it tomorrow if that is what the board decided to do...Worcester changed last year because of Mathias badgering about his bill...it is not what the board or superintendent wanted to do.
Bottom line...your local autonomy is being reduced every year by Annapolis politicians like liberal Jim. Even if you agree with the idea, make it happen locally, not because of a misguided state mandate to put more money in the pockets of liberal Jim's Ocean City handlers.
Follow the money!!!
funny how a private skool can do a better job in less time for less money
school should run from labor day to memorial day. Teachers can complete professional days during student 1/2 day early dismissal, AND before/after memoriallabor day.
Teachers can also complete additional professional days on days like today when school is closed
We changed starting dates because we make all decisions about those who achieve the least.
http://garrettcountyschools.org/resources/public-information/pdf/calendars/2014-2015-School-Calendar-for-Garrett-County.pdf
Garrett county's calendar.... Notice that professional development takes place during half days, and that make up days are build into the calendar fairly easily. Also, there are a day or two when schools are closed or closed early for PTA visitation! Wicomico could take an idea or two from this!
Realism art is great.
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