Are School Schedules Fair to Students, Parents?

Start times, dismissal times, bus routes and summer vacation. There are lots of factors that go into school schedules, and whenever school systems tinker with them, somebody ends up unhappy.

Several metro Atlanta school systems have been tackling the complicated issue of school schedules recently, treading into a topic that's sure to upset many parents. The Atlanta Public School System recently decided to wait until March to design a calendar that not only meets state requirements and encourages attendance and achievement, but also considers the needs of families. Transportation concerns are one of the main issues facing APS. At a recent Grady High School public forum, attendees were told that changing bus schedules and school start and end times would result in improved student safety, on-time arrival, breakfast participation and ride times for special needs students, as well as avoiding having to add 50 new buses. DeKalb …

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A Decatur Mom

2:08 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013

DF: Your point is? September to June sounds great especially for families who have relatives in the rest of the U.S. which has September to June schedules. It's the so-called "balanced", I call "interruptive", schedule that is not family-friendly.   more ›

QUESTION OF THE DAY

How Do You Feel about the Proposed DeKalb County School Calendar Changes?

Board seeking public input on three options.

The DeKalb County Schools board of education is asking for parental feedback as it mulls a decision to modify the school calendar. Three proposed options for the 2012-2013 school calendar are on the table, and the board is asking parents to give feedback on each. The board wants to start school earlier in August and dismiss students an hour early on Wednesdays. Start time in August ranges from Aug. 1 to Aug. 13 in the three options, which could impact summer vacation plans already in place. In 2010, school started Aug. 9. Each of the options would dismiss students from school one-hour early on Wednesdays. The board is expected to finalize the calendar for the 2012-2013 school year at the May 7 board meeting. Option A: Option B: Option C…

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