TYLER (KYTX) - The bell will be ringing earlier for TISD, and the school day will be extended. CBS 19's Hayley Wielgus has more about these changes.
District curriculum officials say the change will provide more instruction time. The change was passed at last week's school board meeting. On that agenda, it explained that this additional time will help the district meet state requirements for physical education, fine arts and elective classes.
Mickie Webb and her two children are ready for classes to wrap up for the summer - but the upcoming school year is already on their minds. Webb just found out her 7th grade daughter's school day will start earlier and be extended by 15 minutes.
"I just would love to know the reasoning because there may be a perfectly good reason but I haven't figured it out yet and I would love to know that."
TISD curriculum officials say the change would allow the district to reconfigure the school day to add an extra 45 minute instruction period. But, Webb is concerned the earlier start time would affect before school tutorials. "The teachers spend quality time with the kids helping them out at Moore, they do a great job and we don't want to see that impeded."
"A lot of kids don't take the time to study at home, then will have the time in school."
"They are coming out of elementary, going into a higher bracket in life. They are maturing."
Annie Hawkin's daughter is a 7th grader at Stewart Middle School. She says students can benefit from extra instruction during adolescence.
Webb says she's in favor of more instruction, but she doesn't think 15 minutes is enough time to make a difference. Several TISD campuses receive grants that require teachers to have conference and planning periods.
The district says tutorials and other activities will not be affected. In fact, the extra period will allow students to receive additional help and enroll in more elective courses.
