 At the beginning of the 2010-11 school year, the starting and ending times for middle and high schools in Birdville ISD were changed to provide sufficient time for bus routes to handle increased traffic congestion, increase capacity for future growth of shuttles service and special programs, improve scheduling efficiency of field trips, and achieve a potential cost savings to the district of more than $200,000.
BISD has already seen many of the above objectives met. Yet, since the start of school, the district has continued to evaluate the change in start and end times.
Under the current high school bell schedule, BISD has seen an increase of more than 1,000 student absences in seventh period because of extra curricular activities over the same time period from the previous year. In addition, the current high school schedule has impacted the high schools' ability to schedule core classes during seventh period, which impacts student schedules under current state mandates. Career and Technology Education work-based learning opportunities for students have also been impacted by the later start time.
In a recent survey of high school students, parents and staff, seventy-three percent indicated they preferred an earlier start and end time. Of those same groups, all responded that the current 8:55 a.m. did not work well for high school students.
Birdville has made the following start and end time changes for the 2011-12 school year.
“After much discussion with community members, board members and staff, we feel this is the best decision for the students of BISD,” said Interim Superintendent Jay Thompson. “I don't like having to change bell schedules two years in a row, but based on what we learned this year, this is better for our students.”
2011-12 Start/End Times Prekindergarten
(AM) 8:10 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
(PM) 12:25 - 3:25 p.m.
Elementary (K-5)
8:10 a.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Middle School (6-8)
8:40 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.
High School (9-12)
7:30 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.
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