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Updated:  February 28, 2011

Draft 2
2011-2012 School Calendar Development

Gathered from the February 10^th meeting comments made by Trustees prior to amending the 2010-2011 school calendar was the impression that the proposed Draft 2011-2012 calendar would fall short in acknowledging trustee’s input meaning something different should be proposed.  Reflecting on the evening’s conversations and how unexpected weather has created challenges to conducting school business, the Draft 2 of the 2011-2012 calendar has been developed for comment. 

Draft 2 of the 2011-2012 Calendar

Revised February 28, 2011

Click here to see a copy of Draft 1.

All comments and/or suggestions are welcomed and should be submitted to:  Ralph Diaz, Special Assistant to the Superintendent. 

Ralph Diaz
E-mail:  rdiaz@irvingisd.net
Voice:   972-600-5005
Fax:      972-215-5003

Summary Chart

** Note:  Instruction days for various groupings of students are impacted by TAKS, STAAR grades 3-8, STAAR End-Of-Course (EOC), national standardized, and Advanced Placement (AP) testing.  Some 29 days of instruction are impacted for some to most students at the high school level across both semesters.  24 of those days occur from March to May.  There is less impact at the middle school level, 14 days in 2012 and 16 days in 2013, and even less at the elementary school level, 8 days in 2012 and 10 days in 2013.  Again, all days but 1 for elementary and middle school occur 2^nd semester.

Draft 2 Attributes:

The Draft 2 calendar evolved with input from central office/campus administration during the monthly staffing meeting and was briefly shared with the District Improvement Committee membership as a side note to the TEA waiver application.   Highlights of interest include:

• Returning to the practice of completing semester exams prior to Winter break.
• Recapturing holidays for both students and staff.
• Broadening the available days for bad weather make up beyond the requirements in the event of extenuating conditions.
• Maximizing the number of days for instruction. 

Key points found within the Draft 2 calendar include:

1. Fall semester exams moved to December 19-21.
2. January 3 designated as a staff workday.
3. Spring semester moved to January 4.
4. February 20 designated as a holiday.
5. April 6 and 9 designated as the required bad weather make up days.
6. May 28 designated as a holiday.
7. Fall Conference day in October to be Parent Conference Month meaning no early release day for students; however, Public Schools Week will continue will continue as an early release.
8. Early release days associated with semester final exams will apply to secondary campuses only (HS and MS) while elementary campuses to have a full day. 

Rationale:

1. Conversations with district staff i.e. central support, campus principals, reveal that due to the growing number of state assessments conducted during the Spring months, the available days for instruction are significantly less.  Testing days during the Spring range from 14-24 days lost depending on the targeted student audience.  The 79/98 days variance between semesters far exceeds the Board’s parameters; however, using the conservative number of 14 days of lost instruction associated with testing, this variance becomes 6 days.  The planning parameter of no more than 3-5 days would be exceeded; however, the value of returning from Winter break and beginning a new semester brings added value in terms of unexpected weather, holidays and opportunities to maximize instructional continuity. 

2. Due to semester exams being moved to the month of December, January 3 is a needed workday to accommodate the transition between semesters.

3. In that January 2 will be a national holiday associated with New Year’s Day, January 4 would be the first day of instruction.

4. The 3 days dedicated to final exams in December allows President’s Day to be considered as a holiday.

5. Similar to surrounding districts the required 2 days for bad weather will be scheduled around April 6 and 9 which coincides with Good Friday.  In the event of extended bad weather all holidays starting in February are noted as available as a result of extenuating circumstances.

6. The 3 days dedicated to final exams in December allows Memorial Day to be considered as a holiday.

7. The proposed Parent Conference month remains unchanged in response to comments from the district’s Parent Survey regarding the perceived effectiveness of the annual early release for Fall conferencing.

8. Discontinuing early release at the elementary level remains a recommendation in lieu of comments received  from the elementary level that time is needed for administrative tasks related to closing school meaning one workday is inadequate. Administration believes there are ample opportunities to accomplish these tasks throughout the week and recapturing opportunities for instruction time.  In addition, the Draft 2 calendar returns one day of instruction making a total of 177 days, which mirrors this year.  Early release as proposed will enhance the overall goal without reducing the district’s professional development goals.