Achievement tests measure students from one district with students in other districts, other students in the states and other students at the national level. To start the school year early, there are more instructional days available before most of these tests are administered in the spring. The results on these achievement tests can have significant ramifications for the schools in the district, including state funding programs, private funding and whether parents choose certain areas to live in based on the school's reputation.
A school's government funding is often tied to the scores on achievement exams. Supporters of nationalized achievement exams believe testing is a measure of how well the school is teaching its students. For example, The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, also called the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, denies government funding to schools that were below their home state's averages on standardized tests, as it was a sign the teaching staff didn't adequately perform its duties.
Those in favor of early school calendars believe students perform better on their first semester tests if they take those exams before they go on long holiday breaks during the winter. Starting the school term early puts exam schedules before the winter break. Starting early enough can also even out the days students attend school before and after the winter break.
Office workers, production line workers and others in the workforce are advised that to be the most effective in their jobs, they need to take period breaks. The idea is that frequent breaks settle the mind and recharge it. There is a belief by supporters of early school calendars that frequent breaks from school work the same way for children. Students need frequent breaks to avoid distraction, boredom and burn out from school.