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Last updated on Thursday, February 23, 2012
(UNDATED) - North Lawrence and Mitchell Community Schools are considering a move to a balanced calendar year. Officials say it will help students retain more of what they learn and improve attendance.
The change could start this fall. Balanced calendars allow students to start school earlier in the fall and provide students more breaks, instead of the 3-month break during the summer. The North Lawrence School Board could address the issue Thursday at 7 p.m. at the administration building
The idea surfaced because teachers are spending time in the fall reviewing old material and with the ISTEP-Plus test scheduled in the spring it would allow students to start preparing earlier.
North Lawrence Community Schools proposal:
With the traditional setup, students would start school Aug. 14. They would have a two-day fall break, with the standard time off for Christmas and spring break. The last student day would be May 30.
A second balanced calendar would have students starting on Aug. 1. There would be two-week breaks in the fall, at Christmas and in the spring. The last student day would be May 30.
A third proposal, student would start Aug. 9. There would be a one-week break in October, the traditional Christmas holiday and a one-week spring break. The last student day would be May 30.
Officials say athletic calendars would not be altered. The Indiana High School Athletic Association establishes those calendars.
Mitchell's proposals
The Mitchell school board is studying two proposals.
The traditional calendar would have students start Aug. 13. It provides the traditional times off, and the last student day would be May 23.
The balanced calendar would have students start Aug. 3, with two two-week breaks (in the fall and spring). It also allocates eight days for Christmas break.
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