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FOUR DAY SCHOOL FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEKWEEK
PROS AND CONSPROS AND CONS
PRESENTATION STYLEPRESENTATION STYLE
Over the years we have been to many of Over the years we have been to many of these presentations during which these presentations during which powerpoint slides are read to us by powerpoint slides are read to us by numerous and various presenters. One of numerous and various presenters. One of the most infuriating elements of these the most infuriating elements of these presentations is when the presenter reads presentations is when the presenter reads the slide to the audience, as if educated the slide to the audience, as if educated people can’t read the slides. Therefore, people can’t read the slides. Therefore, Mr. Benoit and I are going to try a different Mr. Benoit and I are going to try a different style of presentation and we hope you will style of presentation and we hope you will enjoy it more than the traditional and enjoy it more than the traditional and typical style to which we’ve become typical style to which we’ve become accustomed and to which we’ve grown to accustomed and to which we’ve grown to to hate...to hate...
DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS
VARIABLE SCHOOL CALENDAR: A VARIABLE SCHOOL CALENDAR: A school calendar that deviates from school calendar that deviates from the traditional calendar: Less than the traditional calendar: Less than 180, “year round”, “extended year”180, “year round”, “extended year”
CONDENSED SCHOOL CALENDAR: CONDENSED SCHOOL CALENDAR: Typically referred to as the “four day Typically referred to as the “four day week”. In NM, this is normally a 150 week”. In NM, this is normally a 150 day school year that meets 1080 day school year that meets 1080 hours (extended days, 4 days/wk)hours (extended days, 4 days/wk)
TRADITIONAL SCHOOL CALENDAR: TRADITIONAL SCHOOL CALENDAR: A school calendar that is 180 days.A school calendar that is 180 days.
SJM 12 – Variable School SJM 12 – Variable School Calendar ActCalendar Act
1080 Hours (allowed for 1080 Hours (allowed for variations)variations)
Legislature reacts to concerns Legislature reacts to concerns over “abuses” (perceived)over “abuses” (perceived)
SJM 12 calls for a study of SJM 12 calls for a study of various school calendars in various school calendars in place in NM and effects on place in NM and effects on teaching and learningteaching and learning
FREQUENTLY ASKED FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSQUESTIONS
1. Can four-day school weeks help districts save money?
2. What should we consider when moving to a four-day week?
3. What is the effect of a four-day week on students, staff and the community?
Can four-day school weeks help districts save money?
TRANSPORTATION:TRANSPORTATION: SALARIESSALARIES FUELFUEL WEAR AND TEARWEAR AND TEAR
CAFETERIA:CAFETERIA: SALARIESSALARIES FOOD AND SUPPLIESFOOD AND SUPPLIES
UTILITIESUTILITIES
What should we consider when moving to a four-day week?
IMPACT ON ALL CONSTITUENTSIMPACT ON ALL CONSTITUENTS StudentsStudents
Time ManagementTime Management Extra-Curricular ImpactsExtra-Curricular Impacts
TeachersTeachers Curriculum Scope and SequenceCurriculum Scope and Sequence Time ManagementTime Management
Administration/BoardAdministration/Board ParentsParents
Child CareChild Care Community at-largeCommunity at-large
Time out of SchoolTime out of School PERCEPTIONPERCEPTION
??? QUESTIONS ?????? QUESTIONS ???
What are the pros and cons?What are the pros and cons? Teacher PerspectiveTeacher Perspective Parent PerspectiveParent Perspective Student PerspectiveStudent Perspective
What Changes/Challenges were you What Changes/Challenges were you presented with?presented with? Curriculum Scope and SequenceCurriculum Scope and Sequence Teaching StrategiesTeaching Strategies Length of Day/PeriodLength of Day/Period Unique District Issues (NMCCH)Unique District Issues (NMCCH)
What Was Asked?What Was Asked?
QUALITY OF EDUCATION QUALITY OF EDUCATION SURVEYSURVEY 20072007 93% 93% support 4-day schedule (59%)support 4-day schedule (59%)
20082008 97% 97% support 4-day schedule (89%)support 4-day schedule (89%)
20092009 97% 97% support 4-day schedule (86%)support 4-day schedule (86%)
20102010 93% 93% support 4-day schedule (65%)support 4-day schedule (65%)
What Was Asked?What Was Asked?
Staff SurveyStaff Survey What are the Pros/Cons from Teacher What are the Pros/Cons from Teacher
Perspective?Perspective? What are the Pros/Cons from Parent What are the Pros/Cons from Parent
Perspective?Perspective? What are the Pros/Cons from Student What are the Pros/Cons from Student
Perspective?Perspective? What adjustments or considerations What adjustments or considerations
impacted Curriculum Scope and impacted Curriculum Scope and Sequence?Sequence?
Were there impacts on teaching Were there impacts on teaching strategies?strategies?
Is length of school day an issue?Is length of school day an issue?
Teacher Pros and ConsTeacher Pros and Cons
ProsPros ConsCons
Longer ClassesLonger ClassesStudents better preparedStudents better preparedImproved AttendanceImproved AttendanceRe-Teaching, practice, and Re-Teaching, practice, and discussion timediscussion timeFridays are great forFridays are great for
Prep AppointmentsPrep Appointments
In-Service TripsIn-Service Trips
Admin Mtgs Admin WorkAdmin Mtgs Admin WorkIncrease Family Time on Sat/SunIncrease Family Time on Sat/SunLabs are easier to plan/completeLabs are easier to plan/completeAncillary service timeAncillary service timeClassroom Admin Duties efficientClassroom Admin Duties efficientStudents out less for activitiesStudents out less for activities
Creativity/PlanningCreativity/Planning
Dr’s Closed Friday is a problemDr’s Closed Friday is a problem
Hard to make up missed timeHard to make up missed time
Hard to make up missed timeHard to make up missed time
Parent Pros and ConsParent Pros and Cons
ProsPros ConsCons
““Latch Key” kids are home shorter Latch Key” kids are home shorter periods of time before parents. periods of time before parents. Parents only have to find “one day” Parents only have to find “one day” of care, rather than 5 days of 1-2 of care, rather than 5 days of 1-2 hours each)hours each)Older kids can work (at home or Older kids can work (at home or employed) on day offemployed) on day offStudents miss less school for Students miss less school for athletics and other events or athletics and other events or appointmentsappointmentsStudents (and staff) seem “more Students (and staff) seem “more ready to go” each weekready to go” each weekSavings in fuel and clothing Savings in fuel and clothing (purchase and upkeep)(purchase and upkeep)Students who already struggle Students who already struggle with school like only going 4 dayswith school like only going 4 days
Child Care Issues (think out of the Child Care Issues (think out of the box?)box?)Day is long, kids come home Day is long, kids come home hungryhungry
Student Pros and ConsStudent Pros and Cons
ProsPros ConsCons
Have Fridays off to:Have Fridays off to:
Sleep In WorkSleep In Work
Complete Projects/HomeworkComplete Projects/Homework
Complete concurrent coursesComplete concurrent coursesMore “ready to go” on MondayMore “ready to go” on MondayMiss Less SchoolMiss Less School
Day is long, go home hungryDay is long, go home hungryMiss Less SchoolMiss Less School
CURRICULUM COMMENTSCURRICULUM COMMENTS
““Longer Lessons allow for material to Longer Lessons allow for material to be covered more thoroughly on a be covered more thoroughly on a regular basis”regular basis”
““Preparation time is better used”Preparation time is better used” ““Fridays are a great day for Fridays are a great day for
uninterrupted preparation time”uninterrupted preparation time” ““I have been challenged to vary my I have been challenged to vary my
instructional styles daily”instructional styles daily” ““I have more time for enrichment I have more time for enrichment
activities”activities” ““Time in class” actually increased”Time in class” actually increased”
On Teaching Strategies…On Teaching Strategies…
““I have always changed strategies to I have always changed strategies to meet needs of students…the four meet needs of students…the four day week did not change that…More day week did not change that…More time to gauge effectiveness of time to gauge effectiveness of strategies with individuals and strategies with individuals and groups.”groups.”
““Free Days” are even more absurd Free Days” are even more absurd on a four day week than a five day on a four day week than a five day week!week!
Summary of Research:Summary of Research:What Works?What Works?
Student drop-out rates decline. Student disciplinary referrals decrease. Student achievement is generally not affected either
positively or negatively. Student and teacher attendance improves Students and teachers benefit from less interrupted class
time as a result of longer class periods and fewer transitions at all grade levels. This increases the efficiency of instruction.
Marked improvement in school morale . More time for quality staff development Shift of extracurricular activities and personal business Students better able to manage part-time employment. Benefits for the School in General:
Significant savings on utility bills, substitute teacher pay, school buses, and building wear and tear.
Can make up school cancelations
Summary of Research:Summary of Research:ConcernsConcerns
Child care issues: (1) Full Day Care vs (5) short (1-2 hour)
sessions of child care??? High School Kids (or programs) can provide
care? Primary-aged students: Is longer day an
issue? At-risk students: Retention Difficulties School reform movement: Does four day
week conflict with school reform idea that students need more time in school?
Community Norms? Are there other activities for kids?
Summary of Research:Summary of Research:RecommendationsRecommendations
Become as familiar with the concepts and implications of a four-day week as possible. Talk to other administrators and teachers using this schedule.
Share and discuss Information with all stakeholders. Design the schedule to accommodate the needs of teachers and
students. Make sure all changes stay within accreditation guidelines.
Some restructuring and repacing of the curriculum will be necessary.
Provide ample time for staff development. Annually Monitor staff, students, and community on thoughts and
feelings Allow a sufficient time period for implementation and evaluation
Is One Year Enough? How do we assess success?
Morale Test Scores Other?
Consider providing enrichment activities on non-school days
FEEL FREE TO CALLFEEL FREE TO CALL
Steve Barron – Superintendent, DoraSteve Barron – Superintendent, Dora [email protected]
Paul Benoit – Superintendent, FloydPaul Benoit – Superintendent, Floyd [email protected]
David Bass – Principal, DoraDavid Bass – Principal, Dora [email protected]
Damon Terry – Principal, FloydDamon Terry – Principal, Floyd [email protected]
Chris Duncan – Principal, FloydChris Duncan – Principal, Floyd [email protected]@floydbroncos.com
