Upload
tamsyn-hubbard
View
216
Download
3
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
W H A T ’ S N O T W O R K I N G , F I N D I N G S , S A M P L E C A L E N D A R , N E X T S T E P S
BALANCED CALENDAR
DEFINITIONS
• Traditional Calendar- Instructional days are divided over 9 months with a 3 month summer break.
• Balanced calendar- Instructional days and breaks are divided into shorter units. Typical patterns are 60/20, 45/15, and 45/10 compared to 180/60.
LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR
LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR; HOURS OF INSTRUCTION (Mn Statute 120A.41)• A school board's annual calendar must include at
least 165 days of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 11.
Quantity of Instructional Days in Albert Lea on a traditional or balanced calendar• 173 days of grades K-5 (two less days to accommodate day time
conferences)
• 175 days grades 6-12
BOARD AIM POINTS
• 80% of students are proficient in reading and math benchmarks• 90% reach yearly growth targets• 100 % Students identify career and college
pathways that meet their skills and interest• 90% Graduation Rate• ACT Composite average of 23
DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS
WHY IS THE SCHOOL BOARD CONSIDERING A BALANCED
CALENDAR?
SUMMER LEARNING LOSSFAIRCHILD, R. MCLAUGHLIN, B. & BRADY, J. (2006).
EXPLORATION STAGE
• Information meetings at each building in the district.
• Informational meetings with community members.
• Gather feedback for school board and public to consider.
• Determine next steps
FINDINGS
• Students in modified calendar schools do as well or slightly better in terms of academic achievement than students in traditional schools.
• Modified calendars may be particularly beneficial for students from low-income families.
• Students, parents, and teachers who participate in a balanced calendar school tend to have positive attitudes about the experience.
FINDINGS
• Potential conflicts between community activities, family vacations and school
• Potential challenge in arranging child care during off weeks
• Potential for an Increased costs of operation
• Potential loss of summer income for students
CURRENT CALENDAR
POSSIBLE BALANCED CALENDAR
POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
Weeks off throughout the year could provide our students with opportunities.
• Coordinated programming with Park and Rec, YMCA, community education, and other community groups.
• Enrichment programming• Family time• Remediation opportunities K-8• Credit recovery opportunities 9-12• Job shadowing• Support family agriculture needs• Driver’s education or ACT prep courses• College visits
INITIAL THOUGHTS?
RESEARCH SOURCES
• Expanding Time for Learning Both Inside and Outside the Classroom: A review of evidence Base (Child Trends, 2012)
• Fairchild, R. McLaughlin, B. & Brady, J. (2006). Making the Most of Summer: A Handbook on Effective Summer Programming and Thematic Learning." Baltimore, MD: Center for Summer Learning.
• Making Summer Count: how summer programs can boost children’s learning (Rand Corporation, 2011)
• National Association for Year-Round Education (www.nayre.org)
• Stop Summer Academic Loss An Education Policy Priority (Meta Metrics)
• What Does Summer Learning Loss look like
• What Research says About Year-Round School (Educational Leadership, April 2010)
• Working Group on Alternative Calendars (A report to Minnesota legislature,1998)
• Year-Round Education Program Guide (http://www.cde.ca.gov)