|
Idea to send: |
| Topic | Education |
| Content | This may be repetitive of an earlier submission but here it is and not necessarily in the order of any priority:
1. Move the testing period for mandated tests to the end of hte school year so that more of the school year's subject matter is testing on. Currently, tests are calibrated based on curriculum for the first 3/4 of the year. We want are kids to be instructed for the maximum amount of the year if possible.
2. Consider working women employed by private employers when working on school calendars. Vacation days are precious and it's hard to use them for the wierd days off for professional development and other breaks. Child care options are easier when it is a Monday through Friday week (such as summer break) than for all of the single days off.
3. Consider the children of disfunctional and abusive homes when working on school calendars. Many children will be enrolled in multiple school districts in one year depending on child neglect issues, foster care and other sad issues. Having a uniform school calendar helps more kids stay on course with a scope and sequence on curriculum throughout the state.
4. Consider families and quality time when working on school calendars. It makes more sense for school calendars for K-12 to be in alignment than for everyone to follow a university schedule. In short, let families have their summers (Memorial Day to Labor Day) back to enjoy all the shoreline oppportunities the state offers. This also lets high school kids have a learning experience with entry level jobs. The issue of getting high school finals over before Christmas/Winter Break is a sad testimony that teachers don't think kids can remember the curriculum over a period of two weeks. A whole generation of people (at least mine did) managed to pass finals given after Christmas/Winter break.
5. Consider conservation and utility budgets in school calendars. I tend to think that it is is more costly to run schools in late July and August than in winter but perhaps a cost analysis could be done. Other states have done such studies. I know that tourism income drops when school starts. Tourism income helps fund public budgets.
Thank you for considering these ideas. |
|