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Maryland approves plan to extend Montgomery County’s school year to June 20 Maryland approves plan to extend Montgomery County’s school year to June 20
(about 2 hours later)
Montgomery County’s school year will last an extra day — or part of one — under a state­-approved plan that sets June 20 as the new final day for classes.Montgomery County’s school year will last an extra day — or part of one — under a state­-approved plan that sets June 20 as the new final day for classes.
School officials announced the change Tuesday, after the state granted the district’s request for a one-day waiver of instructional time that was lost because of closures during the winter’s snowfall.School officials announced the change Tuesday, after the state granted the district’s request for a one-day waiver of instructional time that was lost because of closures during the winter’s snowfall.
Montgomery had a total of six weather-related closings, but it had just four make-up days built into its calendar. The new plan will close the gap with the one-day waiver and the added day at year’s end — a Monday, which the school system has announced will be an early-release day.Montgomery had a total of six weather-related closings, but it had just four make-up days built into its calendar. The new plan will close the gap with the one-day waiver and the added day at year’s end — a Monday, which the school system has announced will be an early-release day.
Maryland law requires a ­180-day school year, and school systems often apply for waivers to help reduce the number of days they need to tack on to offset days missed because of severe weather. Montgomery was rejected in its previous request, which asked for a two-day waiver.Maryland law requires a ­180-day school year, and school systems often apply for waivers to help reduce the number of days they need to tack on to offset days missed because of severe weather. Montgomery was rejected in its previous request, which asked for a two-day waiver.
State officials have said that Maryland school systems must fully use their make-up days and show that they have made some form of calendar adjustment to qualify for a waiver.State officials have said that Maryland school systems must fully use their make-up days and show that they have made some form of calendar adjustment to qualify for a waiver.
In its earlier request, Montgomery did not show it had attempted a calendar adjustment, according to state officials. In its earlier request, Montgomery did not show that it had attempted a calendar adjustment, according to state officials.
Montgomery had argued that because Prince George’s County had been granted a waiver that allowed a 178-day school year, Montgomery should get one, too.Montgomery had argued that because Prince George’s County had been granted a waiver that allowed a 178-day school year, Montgomery should get one, too.
But Prince George’s, which had seven snow days, made a calendar change, converting a Feb. 12 ­professional development day into a day of instruction. But Prince George’s, which had seven snow days, made a calendar change, converting a Feb. 12 ­professional-development day into a day of instruction.
[Maryland rejects Montgomery County’s snow-day waiver request][Maryland rejects Montgomery County’s snow-day waiver request]
Montgomery revised its state request on April 15 and won state approval in a letter dated April 18.Montgomery revised its state request on April 15 and won state approval in a letter dated April 18.
The result is similar to what happened last year, when the final day of the school year also moved to a Monday.The result is similar to what happened last year, when the final day of the school year also moved to a Monday.
Like last year, the shift in school’s end could conflict with arrangements that families already have made for child-care coverage or summer activities. Like last year, the shift in school’s end could conflict with arrangements that families already have made for child care or summer activities.
[Montgomery to end school year one day late, after state waives lost time][Montgomery to end school year one day late, after state waives lost time]
“Some people already have camp or vacation or whatever planned,” said Frances Frost, ­president of the countywide council of PTAs, who questioned how much educational value the shortened final day would hold.“Some people already have camp or vacation or whatever planned,” said Frances Frost, ­president of the countywide council of PTAs, who questioned how much educational value the shortened final day would hold.
“It’s not going to be productive, even if you had 100 percent participation,” she said. “The seniors have already graduated and ­everyone else has already checked out. I don’t think adding a half day at the end of the school year is going to contribute to additional learning.” “It’s not going to be productive, even if you had 100 percent participation,” she said. “The seniors have already graduated, and ­everyone else has already checked out. I don’t think adding a half-day at the end of the school year is going to contribute to additional learning.”
School officials said last year, when classes were similarly extended to Monday, more than 26,000 students were absent that day, or about 17 percent of the student body. School officials said that last year, when classes were similarly extended to a Monday, more than 26,000 students were absent that day, or about 17 percent of the student body.