2013-2014 DeKalb County School Calendar Survey

Click here for proposed 2013-2014 Traditional Calendar.
Click here for proposed 2013-2014 Balanced Calendar.
Discussion at AJC's Get Schooled

The DeKalb County School District's Calendar Committee is soliciting your feedback regarding the 2013-2014 school calendar. Attached are two types of calendars-Proposed Calendar A (a balanced calendar) and Proposed Calendar B (a traditional calendar). The following is a summary of their attributes.

The Proposed Calendar A (a balanced calendar)

1. equal number of days each semester, e.g., 90 days each for a total of 180 days
2. teacher planning days start the last week in July
3. first and last days for students are August 5 and May 29 respectively
4. a week more of instruction prior to state testing
5. summer break is shortened with extended breaks throughout the academic year
6. other high performing districts, e.g., Rockdale County Public Schools and City Schools of Decatur, use a balanced calendar

The Proposed Calendar B (a traditional calendar)

1. number of days in the first semester is 88 and the number of days in the second semester is 92 for a total of 180 days.
2. teacher planning days start the first full week of August
3. first and last days for students are August 13 and May 23 respectively
4. there is one less week of instruction prior to state testing
5. summer break is longer with fewer extended breaks throughout the academic year
6. DeKalb is currently on a traditional calendar

The committee also invites your input regarding early release days, which would occur on either a traditional or a balanced calendar. On early release days, students will be dismissed from school an hour early, and teachers will use the time for professional development. Professional learning provided during early release will focus on a multitude of strategies to acquire, enhance, and refine the knowledge, skills, and commitment necessary to create high levels of learning for all students, and will allow the district to offer professional learning in a manner that is supported by educational research. According to Hirsh (2009) all educators should participate in professional learning as part of the workday. “When schools become learning schools, every student benefits from every educator’s expertise, and every educator grows professionally with the support of his or her colleagues. Collaborative professional learning is a powerful way to ensure great teaching for every student every day.”

Please complete the following short survey by selecting a single answer choice for questions 1, 2, and 3 and by adding any comments for questions 1, 2, and 4. In order to ensure that your responses are recorded, be certain to select the DONE button at the end of the survey. Please complete the survey only once.

Click here to access the survey.