Each week Gwinnett Opinions asks readers to comment on a topic in the news. Today we feature comments to the question: Should schools start later in August because of CRCT tests? (AJC Gwinnett Opinions, June 18).

What do you think about Cox's plan?

Background: Gwinnett and other Georgia public school systems would start the school year in late August under a proposal by State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox.

The plan, which would not go into effect until the 2009-10 school year, is designed so that all public schools would give the state's Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests and retests about the same time. ("State schools chief wants later school year start, " ajc.com, June 17).

Scores from the retests, which typically produce better results, then would be used to determine if a school made the federal testing goals required under the No Child Left Behind Act. The state recently received permission from the U.S. Department of Education to use retest data for its calculations.

A spokesperson for Cox's department said the later start date would be adopted only if all school districts in Georgia, some of which have set schedules for the 2009-10 year, agree to go along.

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Teachers have hands full

You phrased this question as if we're dead set on the CRCT and "No Child Left Behind" paradigm. That's like asking readers, "Do you think the world is flat because that was God's plan or do you think She wanted us to discover planar mechanics." I just made up the word "planar," but that's OK. The CRCT and No Child Left Behind were kind of made up, too.

Here in Georgia, our state schools superintendent, Kathy Cox, thinks cowboys rode dinosaurs. And our governor cut out foreign language courses for elementary students, although it's core curriculum in the rest of the world. Music, art and physical education classes are almost extinct in Georgia schools, even though studies shows how important these are to the development of critical thinking.

Again, your bloggy question, "Should schools start later?" is a nonsensical paradigm shift. I can think of many better questions. My first question would be, "Can one teacher effectively teach 30 to 40 students in one crowded classroom?"

DAVID MYLER

Snellville

Schedule is fine; what happens during year could be tweaked

I have heard this question come up a lot, with the "logic" that kids don't get enough summer [vacation] and that a later start would give them that. However, the amount of time they are off in the summer would be the same. They would just start later and end later.

A better question would be —- "What impact would a later start have on the school year?"

Gwinnett County schools start when they do so that kids in high school can take final exams and be done with fall semester when winter break starts. That means they are free to have a REAL break during winter break and not have to study for exams. The spring semester starts when they go back to school in January.

There are usually milder temperatures at the end of May and early June, so why not enjoy those days and be glad that schools have the kids inside with air conditioning when hot mid-August comes.

Plan vacations when there are less people out in early June. In addition, hurricane season is up and going in August and September.

The CRCT testing results/summer school issue and problems with the "No Child Left Behind" stuff needs to be addressed further during the school year. Why not take a much harder look at each school system and be realistic and honest about what is needed.

Parents, look at what is going on and see what else you can do to help your child. We only have our kids a few years and then they are out on their own. I have sacrificed my time to help my kids with what they really need. When you really think about it, it's no sacrifice. My kids need me now, not later.

Thank you for listening.

NANCY CRANE

Gwinnett

Teachers don't need more obstacles

Perhaps I don't fully understand the purpose of later start times, but I fail to see how it could help. Right now, I am expected to complete 36 weeks of instruction in about 30 weeks, administer the CRCT, and then go back to teaching the students for the remainder of the school year.

A later start in the school year without adjusting the CRCT testing schedule means that I would have even fewer weeks to teach the curriculum that students will be tested on. How exactly is that supposed to help them perform better? If the issue is completing the retakes in a time frame that the federal government set forth, then I suggest the federal government make the adjustment to its schedules since they aren't the ones responsible for teaching the information to the students prior to the test.

HOLLY ECHOLS

Loganville

Later start time better for families

If the Georgia school system is finally considering opening schools at a more reasonable time, in late August, why not just wait until after Labor Day to allow families to vacation throughout August? This is the way many, if not most, other states do it.

I've lived in New Jersey and northern Virginia where schools started after Labor Day. I've never understood why schools here can't stay in session until June and then return in September. If it were a weather problem I could understand it, but the hot weather here in Atlanta is virtually the same as it is in northern Virginia.

And Georgia's unusual summer vacation time frame certainly hasn't helped improve its educational system. Georgia's overall educational system is a disgrace.

JACK MICHKO

Suwanee