Some parents say school starts too soon

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Many students in Indiana will head back to school next week. But, some parents aren't ready for summer to end.

"I think it's a little early," said Grant Smith, a father.

Sharon Taylor's daughter began school Tuesday in Greenwood.

"I think it's a little bit early. It would have been nice to have a couple more weeks to do summer stuff with her," said Sharon.

It's been decades since most Marion County students began class the day after Labor Day. Schools started earlier as the state began requiring the school year to be longer from 175 days to 180. In recent years, many schools have started even earlier in August to get kids ready for September ISTEP testing.

This school year however, many kids will only take ISTEP in the spring, yet their school calendars haven't changed.

In Wayne Township, Ben Davis High School is the reason why. Like many districts, Wayne divides the school year into two semesters. Years ago when school started later, the semester didn't end before winter break.

Wayne Township Chief Communications Officer Cheri O'Day said ending the semester after break was tough on kids.

"Students were coming back after break and having ten or twelve days and then having to take finals with that two week break in there. It's just much cleaner and better for learning we believe, for it to end before winter break."

Indiana law requires parents who home school to have their kids in class 180 days too. 24-Hour News 8 talked with two homeschoolers. One starts after Labor Day, the other before.

"I like the earlier time but I do think a lot of breaks are helpful for the kids to assimilate the information that they get," said Debra Radke.

Several Indiana legislators recently authored bills to return the start of school to September, but they never got traction. And they won't get the support of the state's top educator, Dr. Tony Bennett.

"A longer school day, a longer school week and a longer school year would be my preference for Indiana students."

Dr. Bennett came from a school district in southern Indiana that did just change its calendar to start later. The district is near Holiday World and many students work at the amusement park. But he said only a few districts state-wide are making changes.

It is up to individual school districts, not the state, to set their calendars.