Lathrop R-II School District 4 Day School Week

Lathrop R-II School District4 Day School Week Presented by: Chris Fine, Superintendent www.lathropschools.com 816-528-7500

Lathrop, MO • Located approximately 30 miles north of Kansas City, 3 miles west of I-35 • Rural community of 2,100 • School district covers 113 square miles • 2011-2012 enrollment of 873, K-12 • 32% Free & Reduced

In the beginning……. • SB 291 (2009) created §171.029, RSMo. The bill stipulates that schools still have to provide the same number of hours (1044) per school year, at least 142 days per year, and if academic achievement on the APR drops over 2 consecutive years then the district must return to a 5 day week • Discussed at Board Retreat in the summer of 2009 • February 2010 board meeting, board president requested district to look into it

Process………. • End of February 2010 sent our March newsletter with information on school funding, 4 day school week, and a parent survey. Also surveyed teachers • March board meeting shared results of survey and research information from Jan. 2009 Research Brief written by Christine Donis-Keller and David Silvernail • April, held a community meeting to discuss budget information and the 4 day school week and sent another survey home about the 5th day – Mon. or Fri. • May board meeting, the board voted to adopt the 4 day school week

Stakeholder InvolvementPrior to implementation • Surveyed parents • Community meeting • Surveyed teachers

Research shows.. • Impact of 4 day school week is generally considered in four areas: • Financial savings • Student achievement • Other student and teacher outcomes • Stakeholder satisfaction

Financial Savings • Anticipated in transportation, food service, food service staff, hourly staff, facilities energy costs and substitute teacher pay

Financial Savings • Actual District savings: • $101,749 in classified staff salaries for year • $4729 in Substitute Salaries – even with increase pay • $3733 in food service - actually was $3733 we didn’t lose • $5039 in transportation - Bus contract, fuel • $6,385 in Op and Maint. - Usage was down, but electricity (20%) and water (100%) costs were up

Salary savings • Certified staff: no change in salary. • 162 required days • 149 school days • 3 PD days before school, 8 PD Mondays, 2 P/T Conf. Mondays • Nearly the same contracted work time on the 4 day schedule • Classified: • Cooks, Custodians and Maintenance lost 1 day/8 hours per week • Paraprofessionals lost 4 hrs per week • Secretaries lost 4 hrs per week

Financial Savings • Total savings attributed to our schedule was $121,635 • 1.3% of actual expenditures • 21 cents on our tax levy

Research shows.. • Impact of 4 day school week is generally considered in four areas: • Financial savings • Student achievement • Other student and teacher outcomes • Stakeholder satisfaction

Student Achievement • The greatest concern is with student learning and achievement. • Will the reduction in days negatively affect student learning and or performance? • Much of the literature concludes that a condensed schedule may have a positive effect, and in most cases has no negative impact.

Student Achievement Achievement Spring 2011: AYP - Proficient numbers not as good at Elementary and Middle School, High School Met AYP Standards APR - Distinction in Performance, MAP Index numbers look better. Overall, 13 of 22 areas improved, 8 of 10 at high school and 4 of 5 at elementary. ACT Composite was highest since 2006-2007. Student Grades were a little improved at LHS and LMS.

Student Achievement Achievement Spring 2012: Proficient numbers increased in 13 of 22 areas. Communication Arts led the way with 7 of 8 areas improving, 7 of 8 better than state average, and 6 of 6 scores improved over their cohort 2010 scores. Math scores didn’t do as well, only 2 of 5 tested areas went up.

Student Achievement APR - “Mets” in all areas of assessments except for MAP bonus which is based upon grade span improvements. ACT Composite was up again, highest composite in at least ten years. Student Grades were a little improved again at LHS and LMS.

Research results showed.. • Impact of 4 day school week is generally considered in four areas: • Financial savings • Student achievement • Other student and teacher outcomes • Stakeholder satisfaction

Other Findings • Student attendance increased at all three levels, greatest at middle school. Two years prior 94.72, 94.29, two years in four day 94.89, 95.28. (all through 4/20) • 19% fewer certified staff absences and 25% fewer classified staff absences. • Fifth day is used for professional development, tutoring, outside activities i.e. field trips, camps and can be used for inclement weather make-up • Consistency of calendar

Calendar Considerations • Monday thru Thursday or Tuesday thru Friday • Length of day determined number of days • Scheduling of different things on 5th day i.e. in-service, parent/teacher conferences, inclement weather make-up

4 Day Calendar Tues. – Fri. because… Friday evening and weekend activities Fewer holidays on Fridays Not a 3-day weekend Can be gone all weekend and part of Monday 2009-2010 39 weeks total 32 Mondays 27 wks of interruptions (early releases) or less than 5 days 13 wks of 5 full days 9 wks of 4 days 4 wks of 3 or 2 days 2010-2011 38 weeks total 3 wks less than 4 days (1st wk, Thanksgiving wk, last wk) No early releases

2009 – 2010 5 day week High School: 6.33 hrs per day 174 days for a total of 1055.25 hrs 1899 min. per week (if 5 full days) Middle School: 6.37 hrs per day 174 days for a total of 1061.63 hrs 1911 min. per week (if 5 full days) Elementary School 6.37 hrs per day 174 days for a total of 1061.67 hrs 1911 min. per week (if 5 full days) 2010 – 2011 4 day week High School 7.30 hrs per day 148 days for a total of 1080.4 hrs. 1750 min. per week Middle School 7.28 hrs per day 148 days for a total of 1077.44 hrs 1747 min per week Elementary School 7.37 hrs per day 148 days for a total of 1090.76 hrs 1768 min per week Student Day Comparisons

Student Day Comparisons 2009-2010 Averaged 1060 hours 2010-2011 Averaged 1080 hours 2011-2012 Averaged 1091 hours 2012-2013 Planning for 1098 hours

Research results showed.. • Impact of 4 day school week is generally considered in four areas: • Financial savings • Student achievement • Other student and teacher outcomes • Stakeholder satisfaction

Stakeholder Satisfaction • Started before and after school program • Offered assistance with Monday daycare • Provided daycare certification class • District Satisfaction: • Childcare – did survey, offered things, but not taken adv of • Student fatigue – At first, seem to get used to it • 3 day break – some believe retention is better • Shift in cost – for daycare, loss of salary • 3 parent surveys, 1 student survey, 1 teacher survey

N = 256 in Sept., N=223 in January, N=228 in June September Questions Demographic info How long have you lived in Lathrop SD Please mark the appropriate grade level of each student in you home. Last spring when the district was discussing the 4 day school week, you/your family was… Based on your family’s experience so far this year with the 4 day school week, you are… If you have students that require childcare, is it…? Students do not attend school on the 5th day of the week, Mondays. What does your student do? After the first few weeks, I believe the 4 day school week has had a _____affect on my student’s academics. Please respond to the following. (positive/challenging aspect) Please provide any positive comments, concerns or suggestions for future survey questions. January Questions Demographic info How long have you lived in Lathrop SD Building level of student Based on your family’s experience so far this year with the 4 day school week, you are… If you have students that require childcare, is it…? Students do not attend school on the 5th day of the week, Mondays. What does your student do? If you student is at home on Mondays, please mark all choices that he/she does. After the first half of the year, I believe the 4 day school week has had a ____affect on my student’s academics. Is your child more enthusiastic about going to school with the new schedule? How does your student feel about the 4 day school week? He/She/They…. If school is missed due to inclement weather, would you prefer the make-up days be added on at the end of the year or utilize Mondays. Acknowledging ….4 day will save approx. $120,000…..do you feel it is beneficial? If more changes have to be made to the budget, please mark by priority your preferences…. (1 – 7) Please respond to the following. (positive/challenging aspect) Please provide any positive comments, concerns or suggestions. Survey Questions

Survey Results Based upon our experience my family is…

Survey Results (So far) I believe the 4-Day Week has had a ____ effect on my child.

Student Comments • I like having Mondays to do homework and study for things so I can get ahead • It’s great, I get to work and earn more money for college • I’m not sure yet • It seems that I am having homework every night, not sure I like that (On block schedule previously) • Days with school are jam packed, Mondays are great!

Teacher Comments • I like seeing the kids everyday • I love the in-service time, we can actually get things done and work on our Mapping • I like the RTI time with the students • I enjoy having Monday to relax from the weekend and prepare for the week • The class times are flying by • I love it • Consistency better for elementary kids

Parent Comments Positive: • Before, on Sunday evenings we were running around trying to get things ready for school on Mondays i.e. homework, laundry, notes signed, and get to bed early enough. But now we can enjoy our weekends and don’t have to go crazy Sunday evenings, everything can be taken care of on Monday. • More Family Time • No Early Out Days! Consistent Schedule. • Savings to district Negative • Longer days, kids tired • With evening activities, less time for family, homework, chores • Can’t get into routine. No consistent schedule • Child Care Issues – finding it/or paying for it

Considerations • Your current schedule and hours • Sick and Personal Days • Activities/Games/Practices on off day • Supply Deliveries on off day • Central Office staff hours • Snacks in the afternoon • Give assignments on Friday for following week

Extra Benefits for LR2 • Return to traditional schedule • Added 25 hours of instruction without increasing teacher time. • More time in regular day for RTI

Change is Difficult • Complete survey results are available on our district website www.lathropschools.com

Lathrop R-II School District 4 Day School Week