The mandate changed. We finally have the flexibility to finish testing before the break.
February 6, 2018
Final supporters
First and foremost, this petition is an encouragement for our entire state, along with its legislators, to rethink the laws that govern public school calendars in North Carolina. From my perspective as a high school principal, it's quite clear that school districts need to be given the flexibility to begin the school year early enough so that the semester, and all the testing that goes with it, is done before the holiday break.
Currently, students are sent home for the holiday break for approximately 10 - 14 days (depending on the year) before having to come back for a week of review followed by another week of testing. Everyone I've ever talked to about this subject (teachers, parents, principals, superintendents, custodians, teacher assistants, students, etc.) has been in agreement that testing should conclude before the holiday break.
Please understand that this is about students and their success. By moving the semester break, we would provide more consistent instruction for our students at the end of the semester and allow them to better demonstrate their understanding.
If you believe this should happen, please sign this document, consider sharing it on your social media page, and respectfully contact your government representatives to advocate for change.
Thanks!
Angelo DelliSanti
North Carolina High School Principal
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
January 19, 2018
January 18, 2018
The feedback from teachers across the state confirms my experience. We need this calendar change to protect student success.
Reached 100 supporters
January 17, 2018
398 Comments
I’ve been in education in NC for 22 years. This has been needed since it was changed in 2004. The calendar law KILLS high schools. The current rules are NOT student friendly. They ARE NOT what is best for students. Work hard to get this changed!
It is a complete farce that we care more about a few tourism dollars than we do about the success of all of our high school students. If we have to have block scheduling then we need to allow schools to start and end the first semester before the winter break.
As a HS student myself, I find it very difficult to motivate myself to study for exams over Christmas break. After all, it is supposed to be a break. It doesn't feel much liek a break when I'm stressing over exams the whole time.
I'm a high school teacher and I truly believe we should test before the holiday break. Once again our exam schedule is hostage to the unpredictable January weather and our students, as well as educators pay the price in academic continuity and growth.
Exams after being out for two weeks leads to lower scores which makes the school rank poorer. When everyone is looking for schools to show growth but intentionally putting the students and teachers in a bind, you are NOT looking for growth.
I taught for 35 years. Everyone (parents, teachers and students) were happier when we could end a semester before Christmas break. It is a waste of 2 weeks of school to test after the holidays. Repeal the late start calendar law.
Needs to happen now.
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The mandate changed. We finally have the flexibility to finish testing before the break.
February 6, 2018
Final supporters
First and foremost, this petition is an encouragement for our entire state, along with its legislators, to rethink the laws that govern public school calendars in North Carolina. From my perspective as a high school principal, it's quite clear that school districts need to be given the flexibility to begin the school year early enough so that the semester, and all the testing that goes with it, is done before the holiday break.
Currently, students are sent home for the holiday break for approximately 10 - 14 days (depending on the year) before having to come back for a week of review followed by another week of testing. Everyone I've ever talked to about this subject (teachers, parents, principals, superintendents, custodians, teacher assistants, students, etc.) has been in agreement that testing should conclude before the holiday break.
Please understand that this is about students and their success. By moving the semester break, we would provide more consistent instruction for our students at the end of the semester and allow them to better demonstrate their understanding.
If you believe this should happen, please sign this document, consider sharing it on your social media page, and respectfully contact your government representatives to advocate for change.
Thanks!
Angelo DelliSanti
North Carolina High School Principal
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
January 19, 2018
January 18, 2018
The feedback from teachers across the state confirms my experience. We need this calendar change to protect student success.
Reached 100 supporters
January 17, 2018
398 Comments
With one high schooler and 3 middle schoolers, I would love to see schools start earlier in august and be done with the fall semester before Christmas. Taking exams after Christmas break is not beneficial to the school, or the children.
I’ve been in education in NC for 22 years. This has been needed since it was changed in 2004. The calendar law KILLS high schools. The current rules are NOT student friendly. They ARE NOT what is best for students. Work hard to get this changed!
It is a complete farce that we care more about a few tourism dollars than we do about the success of all of our high school students. If we have to have block scheduling then we need to allow schools to start and end the first semester before the winter break.
As a HS student myself, I find it very difficult to motivate myself to study for exams over Christmas break. After all, it is supposed to be a break. It doesn't feel much liek a break when I'm stressing over exams the whole time.
I'm a high school teacher and I truly believe we should test before the holiday break. Once again our exam schedule is hostage to the unpredictable January weather and our students, as well as educators pay the price in academic continuity and growth.
Exams after being out for two weeks leads to lower scores which makes the school rank poorer. When everyone is looking for schools to show growth but intentionally putting the students and teachers in a bind, you are NOT looking for growth.
I taught for 35 years. Everyone (parents, teachers and students) were happier when we could end a semester before Christmas break. It is a waste of 2 weeks of school to test after the holidays. Repeal the late start calendar law.
Needs to happen now.
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With one high schooler and 3 middle schoolers, I would love to see schools start earlier in august and be done with the fall semester before Christmas. Taking exams after Christmas break is not beneficial to the school, or the children.