FCPS Survey Shows Parents, Teachers Want Earlier Start Date

A majority of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) families and employees support opening schools one week before Labor Day, beginning with the 2012-13 school year, a FCPS survey shows.

,  FCPS surveyed its parents and staff members and found that 64 percent of 10,687 parents who responded and 71 percent of 12,562 employees who responded were in favor of beginning school before Labor Day.  

FCPS schools and most schools in Virginia traditionally begin school in September because of the "King's Dominion Law," state legislation - once heavily lobbied for by the tourism industry, which relies on students as staffers.

FCPS is thinking of applying for an exemption to the law.

“There are several reasons to open schools before Labor Day, the most important of which is to provide additional instructional time for teachers and students before Standards of Learning (SOL) testing takes place,” FCPS Superintendent Jack D. Dale said in a statement.  “Our parents and employees are solidly behind making this change.  It’s time for the state to address the wishes of our community to start school earlier.”

In addition to more instructional time, FCPS believes an earlier start time to the school year would be beneficial because it would:

Align the FCPS calendar with local universities, allowing better access for students who participate in dual enrollment courses.

Provide greater scheduling flexibility in the event of a large number of closings due to inclement weather.

End the school year a week earlier in June

While several bills that would have eliminated the post-Labor Day opening requirement were introduced during the current session of the General Assembly, none of the bills advanced beyond subcommittee and thus will not come up for a vote in the full House or Senate.