Spring Break Might Shrink in Howard

School System Latest to Seek More Preparation Time for Tests Under 'No Child' Law

Schools have reduced recess, cut back on physical education and done away with field trips. Now spring break could be the next target as some educators try to find more teaching time to accommodate testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Next month, the Howard County school board will consider a plan to shorten spring break, in part to give students more instruction before statewide exams. A handful of other Maryland districts, including Frederick, as well as elsewhere in the country, including Minnesota, have made similar adjustments. Officials of the region's two largest systems, Montgomery County and Fairfax County, said they are not considering such a move, nor is the Prince George's school system.

Fairfax officials have sought to start the school year earlier to provide more teaching time for mandated tests but have been blocked by a state law that prohibits Virginia students from starting school before Labor Day.

In Howard, the revised calendar would reduce the spring break from six weekdays and a weekend to three weekdays and a weekend. Students would be off Good Friday, the Thursday before it and the Monday after Easter. The new schedule would take effect the next academic year.

Howard officials see potential benefits in adding more class time before statewide high school exams, but not everyone is convinced that a shorter spring break is a good idea. Easter typically falls after testing dates for elementary and middle school students and before those for high school students.

"The main objections we've heard is that this is the time for families to go away," said Ellen Flynn Giles, a school board member. "Some people count on this time so they don't have to travel when it's summer. The hard thing for us is that people are looking at the one piece that impacts them. We have to consider all of the pieces."

A spokeswoman for the school system said officials have received more than 250 e-mails. A public hearing this month attracted dozens.

Flynn Giles said she has not made up her mind on the proposal. She noted that even with the change, students will get five straight days off.

"We're trying to make sure that kids are prepared," she said. "As we look at where our most productive time is, where do our children have the best opportunity to build on what they've learned?"

Added board chairman Frank Aquino: "There are always trade-offs and compromises, and in the end, it's our job to figure out what's best for the students, under what circumstances are they going to learn best."

A 2004 survey by the school system found that 52 percent of parents supported shortening spring break. School staff, however, was less supportive, with 59 percent saying no. The countywide PTA has not taken a position on the proposal. A report by the school system for the school board notes that "the most beneficial teaching and learning occurs before Memorial Day."

For students, parents and staff members in Howard who might have their doubts about a shorter break, however, there is a silver lining: Barring snow days, the shorter break would mean that classes would end three days earlier in June.