Corkscrew logic with the Kings Dominion law
Apparently, there are competing visions on how Virginia can thrive in a globally competitive economy amidst rapid technological change. One vision makes it a top priority to educate our children in order to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to be creative, economically productive citizens across a wide variety of disciplines. Another vision subordinates our children’s education to the needs of the travel and hospitality industry.
When forced to choose between the two, a Senate panel voted 9 to 6 in a bipartisan majority to prohibit public school districts from commencing classes before Labor Day. Currently, reports the Times-Dispatch, school systems can open early only with a waiver from the Virginia Board of Education for “good cause.” To date, 77 of the state’s 132 school districts have been granted waivers.
Gov. Bob McDonnell, who as a Virginia Beach legislator once supported the law, made total repeal a centerpiece of his education reform initiative. Educators argued that starting the school year earlier would help better prepare students for Advanced Placement courses, the tests for which are held in early June.
Travel & hospitality lobbyists asserted that starting school early would cost the state $369 million in lost GDP and wages and $21 million in tax income. Just a guess: The study that pulled those numbers out of a hat did not incorporate the cost to students of lower AP scores. In any case, legislators sided with their large travel/tourism business constituencies and against their students.
— JAB
