If you have ever taken an Advanced Placement (AP) test before, you know how stressful the days before the examination can be.  Now imagine that someone offered you two extra weeks of free time to study.

That is exactly what LAUSD’s recently approved calendar shift will provide.  The plan, which will start the school year 15 days earlier without adding any extra days, will remove the educational “dead zone” that typically takes place the month after AP tests. 

In addition, LAUSD’s proposed schedule will have students take their first-semester final exams before winter vacation, when the material they have learned is fresher in their minds (as an extra plus, students would actually be able to enjoy their vacation).  And because the school year will end earlier, high-schoolers will be able to compete earlier for summer jobs.

There are no real arguments against starting the school year earlier.  The few objections were raised by parents this summer – that the weather is too hot in August – are trivial at best.  Especially in this age of ubiquitous air conditioning, should a little sweat get in the way of better education?

LAUSD students are already at a severe disadvantage compared to other AP students across the nation because of this year’s furlough days.  LAUSD’s calendar shift will go a long way towards remedying that problem.  In an age of overcrowded classrooms and school budget cuts, it is refreshing to see LAUSD do something right for a change.