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Editor's Blog

By Bill Hurley


Social Media, Technology, Journalism, Education



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When should the school year start?

Posted by:

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

We asked that question on the WEAC Facebook page last week, and it generated one of the most active conversations we have seen yet. The clear consensus was that the school year should begin in later August so that the first semester ends by Christmas break, and the school year ends in late May or at least very early June. I was not aware that our members - or at least our Facebook friends - felt that strongly on this topic. Thanks to Facebook, now I do!

Current law prohibits Wisconsin school districts from starting classes until after September 1 unless they apply for and receive an exemption from the State Department of Public Instruction.

Barry Ludvik says: "Having the semester end before winter break makes the most sense. It comes down to priorities. Is the education of our kids more important than using them as summer employees?"

Stuart Pask adds: "Many spring sports are already in full swing. We should start school the last week in August. Sep 1 is too late. I also think it should be a local choice."

So far, 27 of you have chimed in, and there is plenty of opportunity for more input. Just go to www.facebook.com/myweac and scroll down to the conversation on this topic. Or add your voice right here at the end of this blog.

And while you're at it, please tell me what you would like to talk about on Facebook. We are looking for any good conversation starters - topics that are on the top of your mind and that you think will generate good give-and-take.

The popularity of our social media tools is growing exponentially, and you are the reason why!

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Comments  6

  • Robert Clifton 10/8/2010

    I was a teacher for 34 years.  Through those years our school started so that we had 2 weeks of school before the first of Sept. This allowed us to be done by the end of May.  Also it allowed for a 4-6 summer school for remediation for students who had fallen behing and also for special classes for enrichment-also swimming at a neighor school's pool.  Beside this, it also alllowed for a time for family vacations and gave the graduating senoirs a head start at finding summer jobs.  The Sept. 1 start is just to late.  This was nothing more than a successful lobbying effort for the tourism industry so they could have cheap labor.

  • Duff 10/2/2010

    There is merit in investigating year round schooling.  I know for my distirct we are already 10 years behind on capital improvements - we have a number of buildings that are not prepared or ready for year round schooling.  I believe at this point the cost out weighs the benefits of year round schooling.  I hope the discussion will continue and as we move forward with solving the problem of how to fund schools in Wisconsin we should at that point bring back the discussion of year round schooling.  I do wish we could start school earlier.

  • jason 9/28/2010

    this will cost schools a lot of money, ever try teaching kids when it is 90 degrees out, and you don't have air conditioning in school?  we also need to take classes in summer.  and most importantly we all need to recharge for the next year.

  • Monica 9/25/2010

    I believe year round school is what is developmentally best for students. This would mean a three week break between terms and a six week break over the summer.  Regarding Wisconsin's law for a start date of September 1-if year round school is not an option then we need to go back to an August start date that correlates with fall sport practice start dates. Does anyone question the real reason why the school start date was changed to September 1? I do not believe it has anything to do with high school students as workers. I believe it has more to do with PK-12 students and families as customers for the tourist industry.

  • Josh 9/17/2010

    I agree with Elizabeth.  As much as I LOVE summer break, year-round school makes the most sense on all educational fronts. 

  • Elizabeth 9/13/2010

    Year round school is the answer for kids and teachers.  There would still be 180 days taught.  Taking more short breaks will help students retain what they are learning, (3 months is a long time for kids to remember)  Nine month support staff wouldn't have to go to the poor house in the summer.  Teachers would be influencing the students all year instead of 9 months.  Some savings could be expected by not using heat, air conditioning, etc. during some of the coolest and warmest times of the year.  We would all get used to it and the breaks would be closer together instead of few and far between.
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