2007-2008 School Year Calendar Proposed to Board

The public need for a 2007-2008 school year calendar is growing as an increasing number of families need to request and schedule vacation dates for 2007. In addition, community groups/agencies (YMCA, churches, scouting groups, etc.) need to plan their programs for summer 2007.

Likewise, the Cobb County School District must move forward with its planning for student summer school, summer leadership sessions, professional development opportunities, and other district functions.

Points to Consider in Development of a School Calendar:

• According to state law, a calendar must include 180 instructional days for students and 190 days for teachers (10 planning days).

• In conjunction with the majority of metro Atlanta school districts, the school year begins in mid-August. Specifically, Fulton and Gwinnett County begin the 2007-2008 school year August 13th.

• Following the State Board of Regents standards, which governs colleges & universities, high school final exams will be taken prior to the winter holidays. This permits students to:
  - follow the state testing schedule which requires students to take the Georgia High School
    End-of-Course tests in December.
  - complete graduation requirements at the end of the first semester and enroll in college
    second semester.
  - finish long-term assignments prior to the winter break, freeing up holiday time for all students
     and parents.

• Ending the school year in late May allows teachers and administrators to enroll in continuous learning courses that typically begin in early June.

• State law allows school systems to forgive four make-up days for students if the school calendar ends on Friday.

• Since our facilities are often chosen as polling places during general election days, schools should be closed to alleviate traffic/safety concerns.

• An effort to minimize to the extent possible fragmented weeks of instruction.

• In accordance with the Metropolitan Calendar Committee, a common spring break may occur the first full week in April.

• Board recognized school holidays are:
  - Labor Day
  - Thanksgiving, the Wednesday prior to and the Friday following
  - Winter holiday
  - Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday
  - President's Day
  - Spring Break
  - Memorial Day
  - Independence Day

• The State Board of Education outlines the proposed testing windows:
  - September-ITBS & GHSGT (retakes of Georgia High School Graduation Test)
  - December-End-of Course Test (EOCT)
  - February-Georgia Middle Grade Writing Assessment-5th & 8th
  - March-GHSGT
  - April-May: CRCT
  - April-June: EOCT
  - May- Advanced Placement exams

• The chart below indicates the school start dates for all districts in Georgia and the number of districts starting on each date. The Cobb County School District opened the 2006-2007 school year on August 14.

The Board of Education will vote on the proposed calendar during its October 26, 2006 evening meeting.