DISD RESPONDENTS TO CALENDAR SURVEY AGAINST POTENTIAL OPTIONS

18 Apr 2005

Four out of Five Respondents Oppose Options Likely If Legislation To Change Calendar Passes

DALLAS—Total responses from those who took part in the Dallas Independent School District’s Web-based survey to measure approval for a proposed calendar that could be adopted if the Legislature mandates that the new school year begins Sept. 6, 2005 and ends before June 7, 2006 resulted in almost four out of five respondents saying they do not like what would result if such actions were to become law.

Almost 14,000 people took part in the survey that began on March 30 and ended April 15, 2005. Although not scientifically conducted, the survey did offer individuals an opportunity to review a calendar that could be proposed if new mandates are passed into law.

"We have seen a tremendous response from our staff, parents, students and those living outside of the district," said Interim Superintendent Larry Groppel. "The overwhelming response has been that people do not approve of the calendar options that would have to be considered if the Legislature were to require this district to begin after Labor Day and end before June 7. The Legislature needs to hear from its constituency and it is our estimation that 79 percent are against this idea and only 18 percent approve. The only determination that can be made is this is not very popular with the constituents it will most directly impact."

In late-March, DISD posted a version of a calendar that would be considered if legislative action is taken. Under the proposed calendar, DISD would begin school Sept. 6, 2005. The last day of school would be Friday, June 2, 2006. Teachers would have a final workday Saturday, June 3, 2006.

But the most significant changes would be in the loss of State Fair days in October that traditionally have been reserved for fair attendance for elementary and secondary students.

DISD students would have Nov. 22-25 off for Thanksgiving, but teachers would be required to work November 22 and 23 in districtwide staff development. Winter break, which traditionally has included the week before Christmas and the week following, also would be cut short. Students and staff would begin their winter break on Dec. 22 and return Monday, Jan. 2, 2006.

Spring break, which traditionally has been a week long in mid-March, would be cut to just three holidays, beginning March 16, 2006, with students and staff returning to school March 21, 2006.

By law, the district is required to be closed for Memorial Day on May 29, 2006.

The school year would conclude June 2, 2006, with teachers being required to work the following day, Saturday, June 3, 2006.

Respondents were asked to "Indicate your reaction to the Draft Revised Calendar, which meets the requirements to begin classes the Tuesday after Labor Day and to end classes by June 7 as well as the district’s preference to end classes by June 2." The following are results as tabulated on the district’s Web site:

Though the results of the survey are not the result of a scientifically conducted project, they do offer individuals an opportunity to provide input and offer suggestions about alternatives. The survey itself does not have a margin of error because it is only based on those who took the initiative to respond on their own.

Reaction	Total Votes For		Percentage of Total Votes
Strongly Agree	1674		12%
Agree	820		6%
Neutral	350		3%
Disagree	993		7%
Strongly Disagree	10098		72%
Totals	13935		100%
Total Respondents by Group
Group	Number of Respondents		Percentage of Respondents
DISD parent	3578		26%
DISD student	2589		19%
DISD teacher/employee	6388		46%
DISD resident with no children in the district	399		3%
Texas citizen living outside of the DISD	703		5%
Other	278		2%
Totals	13935		100%
Total DISD Parent Responses
Reaction	Total Votes For		Percentage of Total Votes
Strongly Agree	481		13%
Agree	157		4%
Neutral	64		2%
Disagree	223		6%
Strongly Disagree	2653		74%
Totals	3578		100%
Total DISD Student Responses
Reaction	Total Votes For		Percentage of Total Votes
Strongly Agree	118		5%
Agree	39		2%
Neutral	23		1%
Disagree	85		3%
Strongly Disagree	2324		90%
Totals	2589		100%
Total DISD Employee/Teacher
Reaction	Total Votes For		Percentage of Total Votes
Strongly Agree	790		12%
Agree	532		8%
Neutral	228		4%
Disagree	596		9%
Strongly Disagree	4242		66%
Totals	6388		100%
Total DISD Res. with no children in DISD
Reaction	Total Votes For		Percentage of Total Votes
Strongly Agree	96		24%
Agree	23		6%
Neutral	8		2%
Disagree	25		6%
Strongly Disagree	247		62%
Totals	399		100%
Total Texas citizen living outside DISD
Reaction	Total Votes For		Percentage of Total Votes
Strongly Agree	158		22%
Agree	58		8%
Neutral	23		3%
Disagree	48		7%
Strongly Disagree	416		59%
Totals	703		100%
Total Other
Reaction	Total Votes For		Percentage of Total Votes
Strongly Agree	31		11%
Agree	11		4%
Neutral	4		1%
Disagree	16		6%
Strongly Disagree	216		78%
Totals	278		100%