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Bill would meet parents' short summer complaints By Mary MacDonald The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Two state legislators who represent north Fulton County said Wednesday they will sponsor a bill that would allow school systems to start the school year in mid-August, but finish the first semester by the winter holidays. School districts are required to hold classes for 180 days each year. The proposal would allow systems to have a shorter fall semester, followed by a longer spring semester, said state Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta). He and state Rep. Joe Wilkinson (R-Sandy Springs) have agreed to introduce the legislation in the next session. The move is prompted by parents who are angry about earlier starting dates for schools and what seems to be the ever-shrinking summer. The school year for most metro Atlanta systems started Aug. 9 this year, and some districts are considering even earlier start dates for the 2005-06 school year. "The summer matters," Burkhalter said. The legislation will not mandate a uniform starting date or require districts to use the staggered semester lengths, Burkhalter said. But the flexibility would allow systems to test kids and dismiss them before the winter holiday break without having to start in early August, he said. The proposal immediately raised some questions among education officials. Herb Garrett, executive director of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, said school systems already have the flexibility to have a shorter-than-90 day first semester.Find this article at: |
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