RALEIGH (AP) -- An overflow crowd of educators gave a standing ovation today as a House committee approved a bill to broaden exceptions to North Carolina's rigid public school schedule.
The bill allows the State Board of Education to grant more waivers to entire school districts. Members of the House Education Committee voted 38-to-13 in favor, and the measure now goes to the full House.
Parents and the travel industry want to keep a 2004 law that requires local school districts to begin classes no sooner than August 25 and end by June Tenth. They say the schedule maintains the traditional vacation time parents want and helps the coastal economy.
But school boards and superintendents say the restrictions are hurting student performance. They say local education districts should have the flexibility to write a schedule that works for their pupils and families.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
