Students in Broward County may start the next school year a week earlier than they usually do if a proposal put forth by the district superintendent is approved.
This fall, the BCPS Board asked parents and families if they prefer to begin the next school year on Monday, August 19, 2024, or Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
However, new Broward Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata recommended that Broward begin the year on Monday, August 12, 2024, which would fall in line with the Palm Beach School District, Licata’s former School District.
Under Florida law, the earliest districts can start school by is August. 10. With that date as a Saturday, Broward schools would begin on the following Monday, if approved.
This current school year started on August 21. The Broward School Board is scheduled to vote on the issue on January 23.
The move is to help Broward become an A-rated district.
“Big picture, this will help close the learning gap and one additional approach of returning to an A school district,” Broward School board member Torey Alston said.
Broward Schools was recently graded a “B” district by the Florida Department of Education, which issues annual ratings based on student performance from the start of the school year through the end of the academic year.
Broward Schools also remained a “B” for nine consecutive years. Palm Beach was also rated “B” while Miami-Dade school district received an “A” grade.
Early release days may become full school days
The new school year also could have another big change — at least four early-release days would become full school days.
Several board members said they don’t think the early-release days are best for students, as the district continues to struggle academically from the COVID-19 learning loss.
“I think that we absolutely need to add some additional academic time,” Board member Alston said.
Board member Allen Zeman added, “The more we can align our behaviors to our goals, the more likely we are going to get to those results we’re looking for.”
The school board has supported these days becoming full school days, but it’s subject to collective bargaining with the Broward Teachers Union.
