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The school calendar committee met twice, the latest being November 12, 2009. This committee met diligently, taking various ideas for the 2010 – 2011 school calendar back to their respective schools for discussion with staff and coming back with different school calendar requests. For the most part, members of the school calendar committee were the same as from prior years; therefore, our meetings were routine and focused on the task at hand. Parameters established and challenges for the committee were

a preference for ninety (90) day semesters due to the high schools’ block schedule;
continuation of the tradition of dismissing students for Fair Day;
at least 150 days of instruction prior to TCAP testing; and
unlike prior years, teachers’ request that all five (5) staff development days be schedule

As a point of clarification, the notation on the school calendar “150th Day before TCAP” is for informational purposes only. There is no State law or State Board of Education Regulation that requires students to be in school for 150 days before testing; however, “unofficial” research once conducted by a fellow superintendent did indicate that students perform better on the state mandated tests if the students had been exposed to 150 days of instruction. Since the Board adoption of block scheduling, being in school for 150 days before TCAP testing has not been an issue; however, I have not taken the aforementioned notation off of the comments section of the school calendar.

The committee agreed upon and adhered to the parameters set in the development of the proposed calendar. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the proposed 2010 – 2011 school calendar for Board approval. Although we do not especially like the date set for the first day of school, with the change in TCAP testing affecting the elementary schools and the change to block scheduling affecting the high schools, beginning school on August 2, 2010, is the only real alternative.

With the following recommendation, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all members of the calendar committee.

On behalf the of calendar committee, I recommend approval of the School Calendar for the 2010 – 2011 School Year.

Obion County Board of Education February 1, 2010	Agenda Item: VII.A.

Consider/Approve School Calendar for the 2010 – 2011 School Year

Background Information: click here to view School Calendar for the 2009 - 2010 School Year The school calendar committee met twice, the latest being November 12, 2009. This committee met diligently, taking various ideas for the 2010 – 2011 school calendar back to their respective schools for discussion with staff and coming back with different school calendar requests. For the most part, members of the school calendar committee were the same as from prior years; therefore, our meetings were routine and focused on the task at hand. Parameters established and challenges for the committee were a preference for ninety (90) day semesters due to the high schools’ block schedule; continuation of the tradition of dismissing students for Fair Day; at least 150 days of instruction prior to TCAP testing; and unlike prior years, teachers’ request that all five (5) staff development days be schedule As a point of clarification, the notation on the school calendar “150th Day before TCAP” is for informational purposes only. There is no State law or State Board of Education Regulation that requires students to be in school for 150 days before testing; however, “unofficial” research once conducted by a fellow superintendent did indicate that students perform better on the state mandated tests if the students had been exposed to 150 days of instruction. Since the Board adoption of block scheduling, being in school for 150 days before TCAP testing has not been an issue; however, I have not taken the aforementioned notation off of the comments section of the school calendar. The committee agreed upon and adhered to the parameters set in the development of the proposed calendar. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the proposed 2010 – 2011 school calendar for Board approval. Although we do not especially like the date set for the first day of school, with the change in TCAP testing affecting the elementary schools and the change to block scheduling affecting the high schools, beginning school on August 2, 2010, is the only real alternative. With the following recommendation, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all members of the calendar committee. Staff Recommendation: On behalf the of calendar committee, I recommend approval of the School Calendar for the 2010 – 2011 School Year.