Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell plans to push for the repeal of a state law that has kept Northern Virginia schools from starting classes before Labor Day, opening the calendar to potential August start dates as early as 2013. Last year, a survey of Fairfax County Public Schools parents and staff members found that 64 percent of parents and 71 percent of employees supported beginning school before Labor Day, agreeing with school officials that an earlier start would give students an edge on year-end tests. Alexandria and Arlington County school officials also have lobbied the state to start class before the long weekend.
But legislation in 1986, known as the “King’s Dominion law,” prevents schools from starting earlier because of concerns about the impact on tourism. School districts that rack up a lot of snow days can apply for a waiver, but Northern Virginia districts have never succeeded in getting one.
| Also on the Va. governor’s education agenda |
| • Consolidating seven high school diploma options into three “more rigorous and meaningful requirements,” while adding career and technical education credentials or a similar alternative to the standard diploma. |
| • Expanding virtual schools with new regulations for accreditation and teacher licensures, and providing more guidance to potential charter school creators. |
| • Providing tax credits to private companies that donate tuition for low-income students to attend private schools. |
| • Amping up science, technology, engineering and math educational opportunities through pay incentives for teachers. |
| • Establishing annual contracts, rather than continuing contracts, for teachers and streamlining the grievance process for discipline and firings. |
“We’ve got to let the educators at the local level do what they know is best for their students,” McDonnell said Monday, noting that 77 of Virginia’s 132 school districts — mostly those west of Interstate 95 — have already obtained waivers. “The exception is now the rule.”
If the repeal passes the General Assembly, local school boards would have the final say over the schools’ start dates. The majority of school board members in Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria have pushed for such a repeal, saying an August opening would allow more time for students to prepare for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, which are typically administered in May, and for the Standards of Learning state exams.
“Most schools in the country do start before Labor Day, so our kids have one or two weeks less of instruction before the tests,” said Jane Strauss, chairwoman of the Fairfax County school board. “There are a lot of problems there, all the way around, so we’d like to have a calendar based on what makes instructional sense.”
| Examiner Coverage |
|
|
Strauss and other local school board leaders conceded that, should the repeal go through, the calendar switch-up isn’t a guarantee. Parents and other community members would need to voice their approval, as well.
In the meantime, chairwoman Abby Raphael said Arlington’s school board was “very excited” by the governor’s announcement.
“We’ve spoken to our local delegation, and we’re working very hard to get this passed,” she said.
