Information is taken from Omaha World Herald article June 18, 2013. http://www.omaha.com/article/20130618/NEWS/706189959/1707#iowa-gov-branstad-school-start-rules-too-lax-hurt-state-tourism
"Iowa's law requiring the school year to start in the week that includes Sept. 1 gets circumvented so often it's been rendered meaningless, and the earlier school year is eating into the profits of the state's tourism industry, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said at his weekly news conference."
According to the Omaha World Herald , "under Iowa law elementary and secondary schools are supposed to start during the week that includes Sept. 1. But nearly all districts apply for and get waivers to start in August. In the 2012-13 school year, all but eight of the state's 348 school districts received waivers to start the school year earlier."
"A group of tourism officials led by Iowa State Fair Manager Gary Slater has filed a petition with the state Department of Education seeking tougher enforcement of the law. In the petition, the tourism groups argue that the start date policy has become “effectively meaningless.”
"Slater said that attendance and participation in the State Fair drops as schools resume.
Daniel Smith, executive director of the School Administrators of Iowa, said local districts should get the flexibility to start early. He said schools may need to begin early for a variety of reasons."
I agree with Daniel Smith. Let the districts decide what is best for the education of their students, not government officials who prioritize tourism profits ahead of education interests. If this law is not what's best for the education of students then it needs to be changed.
It is time to start making school decisions based on what is good for kids instead of what is good for adults. Put the focus on student learning and maximizing academic learning time.
