New Bill Would Mandate PA Schools Start After Labor Day

PENNSYLVANIA — School districts across the state would be required to start the academic year after Labor Day under legislation about to be introduced by a state lawmaker.

State Rep. Jose Giral, a Philadelphia Democrat, believes such uniformity could add more than $400 million annually to the state's economy by prolonging the tourism season.

"While I acknowledge the geographical differences that make up each of the 500 school districts across Pennsylvania, starting the school year after Labor Day would be better economically for families and for Pennsylvania as a whole," Giral stated in a memo to fellow lawmakers.

"Other states such as Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Virginia have enacted similar laws and have begun to see boosts in their economy. In our state, where tourism is the second biggest revenue source, a later start would equal more money for Pennsylvania."

The state's two largest districts, the School District of Philadelphia and the Pittsburgh Public Schools, began 2022-23 classes before Labor Day this year. Both started the academic year on Aug. 29.

A 2019 Pew Research Center study revealed that school districts nationwide begin classes anytime from late July to after Labor Day.

According to the study, the tourism and hospitality industries favor later back-to-school dates because they give families more time to take vacations and teens more time to work summer jobs.