Groups Clash Over School Calendar, Summer Break

Raleigh, N.C. — Three years after state lawmakers approved legislation setting public school calendars, the debate over a longer summer vacation returned to the General Assembly on Wednesday.

The 2004 law forced traditional-calendar schools to start no earlier than Aug. 25 and end no later than June 10.

Various school groups argued Wednesday that they need more control over the calendar, however. The current schedule creates havoc for students looking to take classes at community colleges or take Advanced Placement exams, they said.

"They don't get to take their exams until after Christmas. So that Christmas break, one, has not only been shortened, but they now have to spend their time during the Christmas break studying for those very high-stakes exams," said Leanne Winner, director of governmental relations for the North Carolina School Boards Association.

Meanwhile, the group Save Our Summers wants to hang onto the guaranteed time-off for students for which they fought in 2004. Longer summer breaks allow for family vacations and teenage work opportunities, they said.

"Constituents trusted their representatives to stay committed to this cause and to support this law. And especially now when the issue of trust is on everyone's mind, these people across the state are going to be watching," said Louise Lee of Save Our Summers.

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I'm a high school student. I don't see why they are taking away part of our summer. School just keeps on getting harder and harder. More homework, new goals we have to make, new tests we have to take. We can't just pass an exam now, we have to score "proficiency" on it. Oh yeah, we get credit for the class, but we cant get our diploma until we ace these exams. Guess what now? Oh yeah, I almost forgot, now our summer is getting SHORTER. We are human beings, not just STUDENTS to a school. Pretty soon, I'm guessing that school is going to be our life for our K-12 years. THANKS A WHOLE FREAKIN LOT, now part of my life is gone.

clayl654
April 4, 2007 9:58 p.m.

Medicteacher - Is it about quantity or quality? You sound like you are one of the good ones.

Just Once
April 4, 2007 11:45 a.m.

Medicteacher - I think it does not good to complain. They will tell you these are "instructions hours" that must be met. What a laugh.

I agree that you should not have to pay for materials. I do not think it should take 2-3 hours to prepare for an effective class time of 30-45 minutes. I hear a lot of homework gets done in class. Meetings stink. Most are useless.

On the coaching point...I coach softball. I know softball. I could do a better job than any middleschool coach I know. I support three teams and spend 30 hours a week on ball and I haven't seen a penny yet. Do it because you can and know what you are doing. My point is it has nothing to do with the classroom - other than philosophy.

Just Once
April 4, 2007 11:42 a.m.

To 'Just Once'. If you were so upset your kids were watching movies for the last two weeks of school, why did you not do something about it?

Also, it generally takes 2 to 3 hours prep time to prepare for a one hour class. Coaching does not even come close to paying minimum wage and we have to put up with the abuse from parents who think they know more in the stands but never show up to help on parent volunteer day.

And workdays...well we have meetings, grade papers, plan lessons, have more meetings, check out new textbooks, learn new labs (which we often have to spend our own money on to get supplies), etc... By the way, we also only get paid for 10 months, go ahead and cut two months of your salary and see how you like it. PS. Before you criticize teachers, be a sub for a few months.

medicteacher
April 1, 2007 10:54 p.m.

I taught (note the past tense)at the high school level for 15 years, coaching for all of it, as well as when I student taught. I left teaching a year after the calender change as this was one of a series of last straws of frustration and sickness over education. All the politicians mentioned in the article will tell you they are for "education" and a friend to teachers. We teachers began to push for a shift in the calender to finish the semesters before the Christmas break so our kids would do better on our EOC's. This was in response to the state holding us teachers more 'accountable' for the kids scores. We also wanted it so our kids could succeed, be able to start college early, or to allow ourselves time to take college classes. At least our motives were kid based...those that want the calender left as it is or moved later are in it for one thing and one thing only....money. They don't care one bit about kids being successful, just about having the beach houses full.

medicteacher
April 1, 2007 10:46 p.m.