WHO WE ARE AND OUR BELIEFS
Save Colorado Summers is a statewide coalition of parents, teachers and community members disappointed with the ever-earlier start to the school year. Our mission is to educate consumers of the education system, taxpayers and other interested people about the negative impact the early-August school start date and nontraditional school calendars have on our students, teachers and families. It is our hope that we can work with parents, school districts and elected officials to help establish educationally and fiscally sound school calendars; a school calendar that allows more money to flow into teachers' salaries, classroom supplies and educational services ... without a heavier tax burden on Colorado families.
About Us
WHO WE ARE AND OUR BELIEFS
- We are a coalition of parents, educators, students, school administrators and businesses. It is our belief a nontraditional school year undermines public education, Colorado school kids, families and our state’s economy. We support a school calendar that consistently starts in early September or very late August and minimizes the 1 and 2 day breaks throughout the school year.
- When the school year is allowed to start earlier and earlier in the summer months every aspect of our society is affected. It inhibits teacher’s abilities to continue their education. It minimizes student’s opportunities to gain workplace and life experiences. It cuts into family time and hurts Colorado’s economy. In addition, it provides no additional class time or educational benefits for our students. Students still go the same amount of school days; the days are just spread out over more weeks and months.
- With minor adjustments in scheduling, school systems can save money, help give children and families more opportunities for learning and growth and help grow Colorado's economy. All this can be achieved with no negative impact on student achievement.
Why an early September School Start Date is Important
IMPACT ON STUDENTS
As the summer shortens, so does the time our children have to learn outside the classroom. Activities such as scouting, camp, summer athletic programs, work and family travel can be important learning experiences too.
Giving exams before or after a holiday break has long been debated. It is clear that when exams are given is not as important as how children are taught. Many educators believe giving tests after a break is a better measure of true learning rather than memorization. Teachers report students have the shortest attention span the week before a break. Students' energy levels are high and concentration low.
Interestingly, many of the nation's top academic districts begin school around September 1 and give exams after the holiday break.
IMPACT ON FAMILIES
The early-August school start date creates numerous breaks during the school year -- forcing parents to find child care at non-traditional times. These small breaks often force parents to pay higher prices for care or leave their children home alone.
A full summer provides a fantastic opportunity for parents to spend time with their children and expose them to the educational marvels of Colorado.
IMPACT ON TEACHERS
Teachers are expected to remain competitive and to continue updating their skills; the shortened summer inhibits professional development.
A shorter summer for teachers means many teachers can only attend one of the two summer school sessions, so it often takes them twice as long to earn advanced degrees.
School districts offer greater pay for teachers with advanced degrees. If advanced degrees are beneficial enough to merit pay increases, shouldn’t we ensure teachers have time to achieve advanced degrees?
