So does anyone know when schools in Texas start?

[merci_me]

After wading through all the amendments that were flying, I still can't find if we are now going to have an official school starting date.

There was suppose to be an across the state date of the 4th Monday in August every year. Did that stay and if so, does it start this August or next year?

I've got 2 grandkids I babysit with and a son who will start teaching in Texas in August and I can't figure MY trip in early August. Fourth Monday, I'm ok, otherwise, I need to cancel my plans.

[babylonsister]

1. Merci_me, this made me laugh before I read your reasons!

Kids aren't even out of school yet, and you're trying to figure out when they go back!

[merci_me]

4. Nope, just grandma trying to spend some more time

with Wes Clark, but...............

I wasn't scheduled to get back until the 13th, which is ok for the kids, but my son just accepted a teaching position which, assuming the calendar is "set" means he has to be there on the 10th. Darn, I'll need to be here to watch his little 3 yr old and another 9 yr old grandchild he was going to take care of, for his sister, while I was gone.

Oh well, I guess I'll just put my hotel and gas money into CD 6 and 7, something that I've been considering doing anyway.

[WestHoustonDem]

2. Spring Branch starts on 8/16 n/t

[muse]

3. School district calendars are set for the 06-07 school year

Google your school district and find your calendar. Whatever the legislature set up in the special session won't affect 06-07. Those calendars are already set and early start waivers have already been approved by TEA.

All schools are starting Aug. 21 this year unless they got a waiver to start early.

[muse]

5. For kicks, I just read HB 1 (I don't recommend it) and here's the deal

The new school start date (the fourth Monday in August) - with no waivers - starts with the 07-08 school year. Everything else in HB 1 starts with the 06-07 school year unless it's specifically stated otherwise.

Seriously, I don't recommend that you go off and read even the "analysis" version of this thing (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=3&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00001&VERSION=4&TYPE=A), unless like me, you are in the education business and you enjoy inflicting pain on yourself. I was trying to glean some info on the academic accountability changes that HB 1 imposes on schools, the four years of math and science thing, vertical alignment of core curriculum, merit pay, etc. Not easy to figure out.

Here's the language on school start date:

ARTICLE 9. SCHOOL START DATE

SECTION 9.01 Amends Section 7.056(e), Education Code, by adding a new Subsection (e)(3)(M) to
prohibit a school campus or district from receiving an exemption or waiver under this section from certain requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions, including the requirements for the first day of instruction under Section 25.0811.

SECTION 9.02. Amends Section 25.0811(a), Education Code, to prohibit a school district from beginning instruction for students for a school year before the fourth Monday in August unless the district operates a year-round system under Section 25.084, rather than the week in which August 21 falls. Deletes existing text establishing Sunday as the first day of the week for purposes of this section.

SECTION 9.03. Repealer: Sections 25.0811(b) and (c) (First Day of Instruction), Education Code.

SECTION 9.04. (a) Makes application of Section 25.0811, Education Code, as amended by this Act,prospective to the 2007-2008 school year.

(b) Provides that a waiver under Section 7.056(e), Education Code, from the requirements for the first day of instruction under Section 25.0811, Education Code, for the 2007-2008 or a subsequent school year that is granted before the effective date of this Act is void.