Current Events
Happenings in Tallahassee affect us here in Tampa and deserve attention. For once I have no opinion either way, YET, so if you feel strongly about these issues please enlighten me.
--The Florida House of Representatives are allowing a bill out of committee that would delay the start of school. Currently, students return at the beginning of August. If passed, this bill would require schools to begin the year no earlier than the week before Labor Day.
People who support this bill do so because August is the hottest month and right in the middle of hurricane season. Their argument goes that putting kids in a classroom at that time of year is dangerous. People in favor of an early August start date insist more time is needed to prepare for FCAT. This schedule also allows first semester to end as we leave for winter break, we pick up second semester at the beginning of January, and no one has to spend Christmas studying for midterm exams.
August is the hottest month so why isn't an air-conditioned classroom the best place to spend it? However, we could always move FCAT testing so our summer vacation is in synch with the rest of the country.
--The second issue involves our incredibly large school districts. The Florida House also moved a bill out of committee that will allow voters to split districts serving more than 45,000 students into a much more manageable size of 20,000 students. The amendment could hit ballots this fall.
Hillsborough County is one of the largest school districts in the country. A huge bureaucracy is difficult to manage and control. It also makes for fewer schools. However, if split in a hurry without proper planning and foresight, the poorest areas and students would fall even further behind.
Like everything else, we need to do this right or not at all.
posted by kate @ 5:50 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
The later start of the school year is also backed by the tourism industry. They rely on the cheap labor provided by high school student who work during the summer. So while some might suport the bill for safety (hurricanes) or comfort (hot weather) it really just comes down to money.
That's interesting. Still don't know what I think about it - there are pros and cons to either solution. It's nice not to get worked up for a change. ;-)
And so I shall.
IMHO the legislature should be passing legislation to open up our educational system to choice, competition and private education so parents can decide when the best time is to start school and educators can be held responsible for the success of the students - be it on a 8,9 or 10 month time frame. (Or year-round?)
If the Florida educational system can't get our students to learn in 10 months, then either you support the ability of government schools to educate the children but excuse their failure because they are lacking some resource (more time, money, resources... .lions and tigers and bears oh my!) - or, you recognize that gov't beauracracies can't get the job done and we open up the system for other people to try.
Additionally, Bob's point is probably closer to the truth than any safety, educational or comfort arguments. Look to the motorcycle helmet law for a perfect example of the same argument.
"...educators can be held responsible for the success of the students...If the Florida educational system can't get our students to learn in 10 months..."
I wish you would include a few words in there about Parent responsibility, including but not limited to: reading to their young children each day, putting the kids first and emphasizing the importance of their education, helping with homework, less tv and video games, supporting the teachers with behavior concerns at school, teaching respect for peers and adults, and so on...sorry, I didn't see that in your post anywhere. No excuses, just help your kids from early on.
Mr. C: You have diarrhea of the mouth. That said, I agree with you in theory although I'm sure the way you'd "open it up" would rub me the wrong way. I've always maintained that parents are the key to success or failure.
Anonymous: Love you. Mean it. ;-)
On the first comment I say this: We are chassing our tail by accomodating a testing system that doesn't teach children how to think critically.
The FCAT is a bad idea. We are teaching kids how to pass a test, not how to learn.
I say down with the FCAT!
Van: another good point. Go Jim Davis!!
I lived in NJ as a child and graduated HS there. We always started school the Wed. After Labor day. Not before, not after.
When I moved here It was a huge change. We only had off Easter Monday and Good Friday. No Spring Break. We didn't get out of school for Xmas til the day before Christmas eve and that was a half day. There were no Strawberry Festivals, or Fair Day. We were off 2 days in Feb. to celebrate Lincoln and Washington's birthday.
There were no F Cats...we had Iowa skills tests. F Cat is a waste of time.
I kinda like the idea of being off all of August.
But when will they get out in the Spring?
Our last day of school would be pushed back into June, I believe. So we'd still be in school the same number of days.
Post a Comment
<< Home