Hot under the collar over school year's early start

By JOHN M. DONEGAN

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
GUEST COLUMN

Published on: 08/10/04

Under the calendars adopted by many schools in Georgia and the Southeast, the school year now ends in late May and resumes in early August. For example, the 2004-2005 school year for DeKalb County Schools began Monday and ends on May 20.

This structure was motivated largely by the belief that it's important to finish the semester before the long holiday break at the end of December. The thinking is that students lose too much over the break, and that academics suffer.

On the surface the academic argument makes sense, and there's no denying that completing a semester of work before the two-week holiday break is appealing. But ask any teacher what students are thinking of during that last week of school in December, and they'll tell you that the kids have visions of sugarplums dancing through their heads, not math equations.

They're so worried about parties, and presents and who gave what to whom (or who didn't) that final exams take a back seat. In mid-January there isn't much else to focus on except school and the eternal desire for a snow day.

In dozens of states, students take their exams in January, apparently without ill effect, given Georgia's academic ranking compared with the rest of the country. Locally, many private schools, such as Westminster, give their exams in January and seem to be able to muddle through.

Another side effect of the early August start is on academic programs offered during the summer. Some of these programs, particularly outside the Southeast, run right up to the start of school or into the first week or two, limiting academic options during the summer.

Georgia's economy also takes a hit from the current calendar. Six Flags will close on weekdays beginning Aug. 16, and White Water will give up weekday operations Monday. Imagine — a water park unable to operate during August.

The impact is certainly felt at beach resorts, which sit half empty during the dog days of summer. Anyone who has watched children shiver in May and early June will testify that while the weather might be nice, the water temperatures are still a bit brisk.

August is the second hottest month of the year, and changing the school calendar can't change summer. One wonders what it costs to air-condition schools during these sweltering days.

The hottest days of summer are accompanied by the usual smog alerts and recommendations that people stay indoors. Of course, this is tough to do when kids are out practicing for football, marching band, cross country or simply burning off energy at recess or in physical education class.

Those sweaty kids are a joy to have in class after an hour of running around in the great outdoors.

The hottest days of summer are not when we should focus on sports, yet that's exactly what happens. Incredibly, some Georgia high schools will play three football games on those crisp summer nights before we even reach Labor Day.

This might be one of those issues where the Georgia Legislature needs to get involved and mandate that schools operate on a traditional schedule and not begin classes until the last week of August. It makes sense academically, for the good of the economy and for the health of our children.

John E. Donegan is a social studies teacher at Chamblee Middle School in DeKalb County.