The proposed 2015-16 calendar for the North Hills School District maximizes instructional days before mandatory state tests.

Superintendent Patrick Mannarino said the first day of school is proposed to be Aug. 24, 2015. Some school districts, he said, are planning to start even earlier, on Aug. 17.

“That is a trend that you are beginning to see in this area because of the Keystone Exams and (Pennsylvania State System of Assessment tests),” he said.

Schools are under even more pressure to raise test scores because teacher evaluations are now being tied to their students’ scores on the mandatory exams.

By starting earlier, students will have an additional eight days in the classroom before the PSSA, he said.

The last day of school for students would be May 27.

The school board will vote on the calendar on Oct. 16.

First Published: October 3, 2014, 2:29 a.m.