Rethinking the School Calendar: Snow days

The winter of 2009-2010 will certainly be a memorable one on the Maryland school calendar. That is because we have had more than 70 inches of snow so far and it is still snowing. In Owings Mills, where I live, we have had a whopping 90 inches of snow. Yes ladies and gentleman you heard me correctly 90 inches. And remember I said it is still snowing. Old man winter is not done with us. After this record snowfall, the second this month, the weather forcast is for more on Monday and and then some more at the end of the week. Because of all this snow, Maryland schools are getting an unexpected winter break in February. Worse yet, most school districts have either already run out of snow days or will by the end of the week. Now I am sure you are asking why I am talking about this. Well let me take you back to when I was in high school in the 70's.

I grew up just northwest of New York City. Our school calender gave off on such days as Veterans' Day, Columbus Day and a whole week in February around Washington's Birthday. We started school just before Labor Day and ended the third week in June. We had the occasional snow day when the weather got bad and if we had more than the budgeted 3 days, we lost time off our Spring break.

During my brief tenure as a teacher in the Massachusetts schools in the late 80's and early 90's we kept to a similar calendar. Snow days only happened if we had blizzard conditions or an ice storm. I did some time in the Rochester area when I was in college. Now they rarely have a snow day. And then there is Texas. The Dallas/Fort Worth area runs screaming in terror at the sight of a snowflake. Well here in Maryland we don't get Veterans' Day or Columbus Day nor do we get a week off in February. School starts at the end of August (24th this year) and ends somewhere between June 12 and 17. Most school districts budget 3 maybe 4 snow days (Here in Baltimore County we get 7). Last year we got snow days for more than 5 inches. 5 inches usually led to a delay of 1-2 hours. Well this winter we lost 2 days in December for a 21 inch snowfall just prior to winter break. This week we have the whole week off because of a 30 inch snowfall over the weekend and another 25 inches today. I think we need to go back to a week off in February. Didn't the groundhog say 6 more weeks of winter?!

Back to School

Here in Baltimore school starts on Monday. It is hard to imagine that summer is already done and my 2 kids will be back in the classroom. My almost 10 year old son with Asperger's has been noting all week how going back to school will be a culture shock for him. My 12 year old daughter with Dyslexia is excited and apprehensive at the same time. While I can't wait to get my kids out the door to school, there is a part of me that is dreading it. It seems that there are too many teachers who can't wrap their brains around that fact that a really bright kid can also have a disability. They see how smart they are. Don't get me wrong. I am glad the teachers see that. The problem is that they don't understand why my son has difficulty writing a simple paragraph when he can give you chapter and verse about a topic. My daughter's problem is even more difficult because she compensates for her reading problems with enhanced listening skills. On top of that, their teachers are forever trying to fit them into a mold and stiffle the wonderful creative gifts my kids have. Hopefully this year will be better.

Today we lost an icon, a champion of those less fortunate, one who gave a voice to those without one. When I heard the news of Senator Ted Kennedy's death, it felt like the world was standing still. I cannot imagine a world without his tireless efforts for those of us with disabilities and more. He was truly a champion of equal rights. His presence in this world will be greatly missed and our world is diminished by his loss.
When his sister Eunice died, I referred to her as a role model to me. As a tribute to both of them it is now our turn to continue to work and fight for the rights of those with disabilities. Let us follow their example. Even a small victory will pay them tribute and show our great appreciation. Their legacy was to light the torch of public service and create opportunities for all. Let us now take up that torch. By doing that , Senator Kennedy and his sister Eunice will not only live on in our memories, they will live on in our actions.

Telling Statisitics: From the IDEAdata website and Maryland Public Schools website.

Maryland is #1 in the nation according to Education Week, The College Board, and Newsweek. State special education statistics paint a different picture. 62% of students with special needs are served in the Least Restrictive Environment (80% of the day in general education). That puts us 21st in the nation. Yet, we have the 3rd highest percentage of students placed in nonpublic special education schools. That is 7.3%. We are 19th in the nation for students with special needs graduating with a high school diploma. Only 61% graduate. Worse yet, 27% of our students with special needs drop out of school.

The stats on the Maryland public schools website paint a better picture, but they are still cause for concern. If we are truly #1, shouldn't we give the same level of education to our children with special needs?

Testing

Testing, please ignore