Q: What is the history behind school starting dates moving into August? Labor Day was the traditional end of summer and beginning of school, and now we have schools starting a month earlier. Is it to meet more state and federal guidelines on days in school or are there other forces at work?
—Rick Beldin, Brookhaven
A: In general, school systems around the country began moving their start dates to August in the 1990s, but some still begin after Labor Day, a 2015 CNN.com article stated.
Moving school start dates before Labor Day gives teachers more time to prepare students for state-mandated tests — generally given in the spring — and college-placement exams.
The Los Angeles Unified School District pushed its starting date to Aug. 14 in 2012, three weeks earlier than the previous year for state testing purposes and to allow time for students to complete first-semester finals before winter holiday break.
“This was a purely academic decision for us,” former superintendent John Deasy told the Wall Street Journal.
Before the earlier start date, students would be out of school for winter break and then return for finals.
Earlier starting dates also provide time in the school calendar for fall and spring breaks, CNN.com wrote.
Schools that begin in August generally end the school year in May.
State laws prohibit some school systems from starting before Labor Day, CNN.com wrote.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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