Calendar Explanation & Criteria
Calendar Explanation & Criteria
Hutto ISD develops instructional calendar drafts through a review process that considers student learning, staff planning, state requirements and community feedback.
How Calendar Drafts Are Developed
The District Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from each campus and community members, narrows the calendar options to two or three drafts. Committee members take those drafts back to their campuses for feedback, and the draft calendars are also shared with principals and instructional specialists. Feedback is then reviewed and condensed into one draft calendar.
Calendar Review Process
The calendar process is designed to balance instructional needs, staff planning, family schedules and state requirements before a final recommendation is made.
1
Draft Options
The District Advisory Committee reviews calendar options and narrows them to two or three drafts.
2
Campus Feedback
Committee members take draft calendars to their campuses and gather feedback from staff and stakeholders.
3
Final Draft
Feedback from campuses, principals and instructional specialists is condensed into one draft calendar.
Criteria Considered
When drafting instructional calendars, the district considers multiple factors that affect instruction, operations, families and staff.
School Year
Start & End Dates
Calendar drafts consider the beginning and ending dates of the school year.
Instruction
Semester Balance
The number of days in each semester is reviewed as part of the planning process.
Testing
State Testing Dates
State assessment windows are considered when building the instructional calendar.
Staff
Professional Development
Professional development dates are included to support staff learning and planning.
Families
Breaks & Holidays
Federal holidays, spring break and other family-impacting dates are considered.
Weather
Bad Weather Make-Up
Bad weather make-up days are reviewed during the calendar development process.
Schedule
Early Release Dates
Early dismissal dates are considered in connection with instructional and planning needs.
Regional
Surrounding Calendars
Surrounding district calendars and summer school needs are also reviewed.
District of Innovation Flexibility
Texas public schools are required by the Texas Education Agency to begin school on the fourth Monday in August unless they are designated as a District of Innovation, which provides flexibility in start dates.
State Rule
Fourth Monday in August
Public schools must begin on the fourth Monday in August unless they have District of Innovation flexibility.
Hutto ISD
Approved in 2016
Hutto ISD was approved as a District of Innovation in 2016.
Flexibility
Earlier Start Date
This designation allows Hutto ISD to start earlier than the fourth Monday in August.
Why it matters: Calendar flexibility allows Hutto ISD to better align professional development, instructional time, testing windows and school-year pacing.