Vote today on August start for Edina schools

The Edina School Board will vote Monday on a plan to start school in August.

Minnesota is a one of a handful of states that mandates students start school after Labor Day, unless a district obtains a special waiver from the state. Efforts to change that law have failed at the legislature in recent years.

Edina Superintendent Ric Dressen says the five more days of instruction in the fall would give students a jump start on standardized tests in the spring.

"The quality of learning that last week in August versus the quality of learning in that second week in June -- the further you get into June, it's harder for students to get there," Dressen said. " "Having five extra days to start that year prior to Labor Day is an advantage for all students."

If the measure passes, school would begin on Aug. 26 and end May 30 in the Edina district.

More than 30 districts in the state, including Minneapolis and 25 districts in southwestern Minnesota, start school before Labor Day. The Northfield and LaSueur districts recently dropped plans to start their school years in August.

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