Texas’ Largest School District Seeks Input on 11-Month Calendar

The Houston Independent School District has drafted an 11-month calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. The proposed changes, which are allowed by the Texas Education Agency in the wake of the pandemic, would have students starting earlier, ending later and getting more time off in between.  

The first day of school would be August 10. 

There would be full weeks without school in October, November, December, February and March.

School would end on June 15.

Information posted online by HISD’s Office of School Support indicates the district is continuing to examine options in response to COVID-19.

“An option we are exploring is adopting the Year-Round Designation with the Texas Education Agency, which would allow for more flexibility on school start date and allow for additional instructional days for our students to reduce any instructional gaps due to COVID-19,” the notice stated.

The 11-month calendar, if adopted, would result in 10 additional instructional days.

There would also be an additional five minutes added to each school day, which would result in 5,390 minutes above the state requirement. The extra minutes would ensure the district has a bank of time to use for emergency weather events or closures, instead of having to add make-up days or make further adjustments to the calendar. 

You can give the district feedback on the 11-month calendar idea here.