This week the Iowa legislature got its shorts in a bunch over the earliest date schools should be able to begin their school year. It's been fun to watch.
For many years, Iowa law has mandated that elementary and high schools are not to begin classes prior to September 1st. However, schools can (and do) apply to have that mandate waived, which it always is. Consequently, many schools in Iowa have begun to start within the first half of August, and all before September 1st.
No problem - local control, everybody's happy, right?
Enter the special interest groups, namely the tourism lobby. Schools are now starting so early that they conflict with family vacations, and more specifically, with the Iowa State Fair. The Fair and the tourism industry want the starting date mandate enforced.
The debate between local control and tourism quickly deteriorated into dumb versus dumber arguments. If you support tourism, you're accused of being against education. If you support local control, you're accused of being against common sense.
Of course, the goofy teachers' lobby had to get involved, letting everyone know their precious Spring Break may have to be eliminated if schools have to start later. Do they not realize that outside of central Iowa, most school districts don't even have a Spring Break? And how is a Spring Break good for education?
In the end, a compromise bill has been crafted to mandate that schools not begin classes prior to the last Monday in August. So the debate ends with all parties missing the obvious answer - we should be looking at year-around school.
This is the 21st century, with air conditioning and technology. It's time to accept that kids don't need all summer off.
Good for education? Yes. Good for tourism? Sure. Good for teachers? Talk to the hand.
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