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Why is the school start date an issue?
The state legislature in May 2001 passed Senate Bill (SB) 108 that mandated a statewide school start date. SB 108 is now a part of the Texas Education Code. Texas Education Code (TEC) 25.0811 states that school districts are not allowed to begin instructional days for students until the week in which August 21 falls. For purposes of this code, Sunday is considered the first day of the week.
Does a district have to comply with the state mandated school start date?
TEC 25.0811 allows for districts to apply for a school start day waiver to begin instructional days before the week in which August 21 falls.
What procedure does the school district follow to obtain a school start date waiver?
The Texas Education Agency has outlined a procedure for districts to use for waiver application. The district must advertise that it is requesting a waiver at least 60 days in advance of the submittal of the waiver application to the Texas Education Agency. The district must hold a public hearing and submit a consensus of the opinions voiced at the hearing and from other public input sources available within the district. For more information on the waiver process, you may access the TEA link for the School Start Date waiver process at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/waivers/faqfirstday.html.
What is the school calendar development process for MISD?
The school calendar development process encompasses several steps to insure input from all segments of the MISD community. The steps are as follows:
- Several district level committees are charged with the responsibility of giving formal school calendar development input. These are as follows:
- MISD District Site-Based Decision Making Council
- MISD Council of PTAs Executive Committee
- Mesquite Educators' Association Facility Representatives Committee
- Mesquite Educators' Association Professional Consultation Committee
- T. N. T. (Teachers Nurturing Teachers) Committee -- a committee consisting of one teacher staff development specialist from each campus
- MISD campus principals
- MISD central office administrative team
- A proposed draft calendar is presented to each group. All formal input is recorded and considered by each committee.
- The draft calendar is offered for informal public input through our website. All informal input is recorded and shared with committees.
- The final draft calendar is presented to the MISD Board of Trustees to be considered for approval.
What are the assumptions that guide MISD calendar development?
The committees that work directly with school calendar development generally agree on several assumptions that guide their planning. These are:
- To provide for 177 days of student instruction
- To provide for 7 days of teacher staff development
- To provide for 3 days of teacher preparation
- To complete the fall semester before Winter Break
- To complete the school year by the end of May
- To construct a calendar that is best educationally for the majority of students
Do bad weather days affect the calendar?
The district must provide for two bad weather days late in the second semester. These days are designated as student and staff holidays but could be used as instructional days should inclement weather force school closings during the winter months.
How does the testing schedule impact the calendar?
Testing schedules have an impact on the calendar. Since TAKS tests are generally scheduled for the spring months, the direct instructional time available during the spring semester is reduced unless its length is extended to allow for testing dates.
How do energy costs affect the school calendar?
Electricity costs are always a consideration for school districts and families alike. Some argue that beginning school in August increases electricity costs. Whether Texas schools begin in mid-August or end in mid-June, our buildings will have to be cooled because of the extreme climate here. In addition, our district operates a very extensive summer school program that utilizes almost half of our campus buildings during the summer months.
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