privates exempt from snow day limits?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Just received an e-mail from my DC’s school. Head said Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requires independent schools to complete 170 days of school. So, AIMS schools (Association of Independent Maryland Schools) do have a limit.

Anybody know what this is for district private schools? Who accredits them (i.e., is the equivalent of AIMS)?

[Anonymous]

I find it strange that private schools have fewer school days than public schools. Is it because private school teachers are so much better?? We certainly are very appreciative of the quality of teachers at our private school, but are not arrogant enough to say that they are that much better. The school day is not longer at private schools, so I fail to see the reason. I am sure there is some historical rationale. But, at this point, when everyone else in the developed world goes to school longer than we do, private schools should add 2 weeks at least to the school calendar. Our kids would be better off for it.

[Anonymous]

I have found that private schools have longer school days which could account for the fewer days.

[Anonymous]

They also don't have to spend time preparing for the standarized tests and the administering them. The test taking itself is extra days right there.

[Anonymous]

We got a message from our head today that we still have a cushion on the instructional days requirement (we had 0 snow days before this week). I dont know what the requirement is. I don't get the sense that they are in that much less than the public schools - they start a few days later in September but seem to get fewer holidays during the year. Last year they were only out 2 days before MCPS in June.

[Anonymous]

My quick and dirty research says that DC, Md and Va public schools are at 180 days a year at the minimum. Most other developed countries have longer school years, some over 200. As for the length of the say, I am not sure I agree. Our local public school is 2 hours a week less as a formal matter, but I public school students get less recent time, which is probably not good. Regardless, when you are paying $25K a year for K and $30K for the higher grades, an extra 10 days a year would be just fine with me.

[Anonymous]

I've taught in both private and public. We don't need those extra days. We don't spend our time giving standardized tests, prepping kids for tests or analyzing that data. We don't need them. We cater to a group of students that are highly motivated and extremely bright. They will be fine if they miss this week.

[Anonymous]

Disagree fundamenally. There is substantial research to suggest that those who exceed at a specific endeavour do so not only because of natural talent and motivation but also because of the amount of time they spend doing it. A few more school days would be beneficial over the long term. It is not simply a question about tests, etc.

[Anonymous]

As you consider the number of days of school days in the year of public vs. independent, keep in mind that the school day is longer at most independent schools and the number of half days fewer.

[Anonymous]

There is also evidence that children with involved parents that place a premium on education (which is, by definition, virtually all kids at an expensive private school) do not fall ball behind, and, in fact, continue to learn, during long summer breaks. The benefit of additional days of school accrues to those underprivileged kids who do not get "academic" stimulation at home. Thus, with the current testing requirements, we're seeing a trend toward longer school years for those public schools who don't want the kids that are already struggling to lose ground over the summer.

[Anonymous]

The school year in the US, whether private or public, is shorter than most any other developed country. I full support extending the school year by 2 weeks or so. Let's be real. The school year was established when children had to work the farms. Moreover, in the 1950s, the lengthy summer vacation allowed some mothers and children to go to the beach for the summer, while father showed up when he could. Those latter days are over. Children certainly need a break during the summer, but 12-13 weeks?

[Anonymous]

Most of the private school parents I know incorporate relatively academic summer schools/camps that encourage kids to follow their particular interests. As a child, I took algebra, two years of English/writing, and biology over the summers, as well as more intense, specialized sports camps and art and theater programs. Just to say that summers aren't wasted time. I think the sad thing is that it's much easier for kids with parents who have a fair amount of money, and a bit of an easier time locating and dealing with the logistics of the irregular camp schedules, to take advantage of these opportunities.

[Anonymous]

My kids go to camps where they play, hike, camp, swim during the summer. I guess I'm a bad parent. Interestingly, the kids who go to my kids' overnight camps tend to do very well in the college thing and they certainly aren't taking algebra over the summer.

The private schools have a legal minimum of days they have to be open. It has nothing to do with how super-terrific they are or how super-terrific their parents are. My kids attend two different private schools and we've received e-mails from both saying they will eventually figure out how to make up the lost time.

Some of you need to get over yourselves.

[Anonymous]

As a teacher, I would lose my mind if I didn't have summer "break". And the reality of it is that you need that "break" to updated your curriculum, plan special units, overhaul programs at your school. If the teachers didn't have the break the academic school year would suffer because it isn't really a break for the teachers as much as extended time to really plan and rejuvinate your brain that is ready to explode at the end of the school year. Let the attacks begin ...

[Anonymous]

No one is attacking teachers here!!! High quality teachers are critical to our education system and our future. Teachers must be appreciated and respected, and I am pleased that teacher salaries have increased over the last decade or so. Perhaps, they should increase further. But the foregoing does not mean that the school year should not be longer by, say, 10 days or that teachers should be deferrerd to in all matters regarding education. Our school year is shorter than most any system in the industrial world, as someone above noted.