Proposed 4-Day School Week Presentation for Student Achievement Enhancement

Proposed 4 Day School Week Presentation to the Board January 5, 2017 Superintendent Laural Jackson

Goal: To Improve Student Achievement Based on national research absenteeism is directly correlated to: Poorer reading skills in elementary which is hard to overcome Continued impact on all academics as the years progress Greater likelihood to drop out of school

Goal Evaluation Key Indicators will include: Standardized academic tests (MAP) Graduation rate Attendance data for staff and students Implement and evaluate for a minimum of three years in order to get a trendline

Assurances Elementary students will have at least 54 minutes of activity time each day Students in grades 6-12 will have three built in breaks including lunch District will implement a homework policy Schools available for community sponsored enrichment programs for DGSD students on Fridays

Proposed Class Day 7.5 hours/day for students 8 hours/day for teachers Collaboration time for teachers would occur outside the class day.

Proposed Calendar Year 161 Student days (this includes 10 professional development days) Student Start Date: ~August 9 Student End Date: ~May 23 Teacher Start Date: ~August 7 Teacher End Date: ~May 25

Homework Purpose Time to complete work not done in class Parent connection Extend and enrich learning Teach responsibility Schools will continue to work to meet family needs District policy will be developed

Kindergarten Longer days have not proven to be problematic based on research Parents could pick up students after minimum instructional day required by State of 4.5 hours.

Special Education Research has not indicated this is a concern Special Education students vary greatly in their needs IEP Team has the ability to adjust the student program based on needs

Student Activities Directive to administrators and ADs to minimize disruption of instructional time Hockey would not interfere with current DYHA schedule

Bus Schedules Routes will not change based on this proposal Length of Saw Mill Creek route needs to be reviewed regardless of the 4 Day School Week proposal.

Staff Schedules Same number of hours/year Longer Days and Longer school year Food Service will have hours reduced

Childcare Research indicates this is quickly resolved Majority of parents will not be impacted negatively FG has indicated they have capacity for their staff District can help support babysitter certification training

Facility Use No change required to current procedures Might consider the need for a community schools aide

Budgetary Considerations Provides flexibility Likely Savings (Estimates only) Busing: $29,408 Substitute Personnel: $25,000 Food Service: $35,000

Board Actions Required Board Approval Seek Commissioner of Education Approval Clarification of Negotiated Agreements Finalization of 2017-2018 Calendar

Recommendation Supports Strategic Plan Supported by Research Supported by majority of our local professionals