Summer's Out For School!

Summer is over here in the Plano ISD, and a lot of us are PISD about it. It seems that the school schedule is driven more by the vacation plans of the wealthy than by any real educational goals. The driving factors seem to be:

• Must have 1 week fall break for vacation


• Must have 1 week spring break for vacation


• Must have 2 week winter break for vacation


• Cannot have the hassle of semester exams hanging over our dear little ones' heads while they're on winter vacation


• Must keep semesters balanced (same no. days in each)

Those who cannot afford 4 or more vacations per year (summer vacation is assumed above) don't come to the community feedback sessions to voice their opinion regarding the break — perhaps they're working? They're also the most likely to lack the internet connections required to participate in the online polls, and they're the least likely to vote. Those things all make it much easier to ignore their views and to claim that the schedule reflects the wishes of the community.

So why is it that I don't know anyone who likes the early start?

The legislature might fix this problem for us due to financial issues, but I'm not holding my breath hoping that the monied interests won't figure out how to win there as well.

In case you aren't up on the issues of school finance in Texas, the legislature is meeting in special session to try to give schools more money. Some want more controls along with that money, and one of the controls says you can't piss away millions air-conditioning schools in August if you have cheaper alternatives, like eliminating fall break and keeping school in session until the beginning of June (or at least the end of May).

But, of course, "local control" is a favorite catch phrase for zealots of all stripes.

Aside #34.0625: Do you know anyone who is home schooling their children who isn't doing it for religious reasons?

So, a time when children should still be playing or going to camp or something like that is being spent in a classroom. No wonder they're in such a surly mood these days.