Early Release Survey

1. Early Release Survey Report to the School Board February 2008

2. Instructional Staff at Elementary Schools were Surveyed: Questions were both quantitative and qualitative in nature. • 1.Do you believe Early Release days have been beneficial to you in increasing student performance? • 2. Explain your answer. • 3. Do you believe Early Release should be continued for 2008-09? • 4. Why or why not? • 5. What specific ideas/suggestions do you have to improve Early Release days? • 6. What topics for professional development would you like to have offered on future Release Days?

3. Of those, 521 stated that they felt the professional development would be beneficial in raising student achievement (Question #1) Of those, 519 stated they desire to have Early Release days continued in the coming school year (2008-2009). (Question #3) 23 Elementary Schools Responded, Representing642 instructional employees

4. Common/RepresentativePositive Comments for #2:Explain your response to #1 (Have Early Release days assisted you in improving student achievement?) • Allows schools to focus on specific needs • Allows time for collaboration with colleagues • Eliminates planning for substitutes • Saves in substitute money • Convenient for participants • Good for follow-up & implementation because resources are also school-based • Exposure to new strategies and tools for teaching • Many have been more than ‘one shot’ workshops • Allows for making in-roads into goals addressed in SPP

5. Many are hands-on ideas that appeal to students • Most can immediately be put to use in the classroom • The information has been highly valuable---both in terms of what I DO and what I now DON’T do in my classroom • All training has been of use to new teachers • Awarding in-service points is valuable • These opportunities have re-energized my teaching • A side-light has been that by coming together as a building, we are learning more about what we do individually, and so, can support our school’s needs collectively

6. Constructive Comments for Question #2:(Have Early Release days assisted you in improving student achievement?) • Need additional topics for reluctant learners and special needs students • More on classroom management, as well as math & science • More for non-core areas/ electives • Need more time; maybe set up as a full day but less often (quarterly, 6 wks, etc.) • Offer on other (or rotating) days rather than in middle of week • Skip training near FCAT time • Need more specific to grade levels

7. Common/RepresentativePositive Comments for #4:Explain your response to #3 (Should Early Release days be continued for 2008-09?) • It affords many PD opportunities that we would not otherwise have • Yes, continue, but add more time to it so that we can delve more deeply into relevant topics • I like that it is a set day of the month; planning is easier and subs are not required • It is extremely important to learn from one another • The days were productive; time well-spent & much needed---long overdue • Get in-service without leaving the school • Share with peers

8. Collegial conversations occurred that otherwise would not have occurred • The enthusiasm is contagious • I like having training during my workday rather than coming in on a week-end or in summers • The more we learn, the more we can help students learn • Allow teachers to be lifelong learners • Sends the message that teachers are valued and that they value their own learning

9. Common/RepresentativeConstructive Comments for #4:Explain your response to #3 (Should Early Release days be continued for 2008-09?) • A few would prefer to do PD on their own time • Don’t have any sessions on weeks with holidays or FCAT • Need more time in between sessions for implementation • Consider some time for grade level meetings, PMSs, etc. • Consider using workdays for PD now that technology has made working with grades so easy • Taking a whole day every other month or so might be easier for parents with childcare---& better for in-depth training • I’d prefer to stay in class with my students; not lose instructional time • Use gurus of the profession, not peers

10. Focus on one theme or idea and build throughout the year Continue to target specific school needs Have them grade-level specific Have 1 whole day per 9 weeks Go deeper into topics already covered Alternate topics that are school-based and those that are district/state initiatives Provide food. I don’t eat on Early Release days Continue the variety of topics covered More technology More ‘make & take’ ideas Representative Responses for #5:(Do you have any suggestions for improvement?)

11. More Writer’s Workshop, journaling, conventions, writing conferencing, writing in the content areas Include special area topics (fine arts, ESE, media, guidance) Additional reading and science ideas Crisis management ESOL training/certification Differentiated Instruction Comprehension Training that leads to an endorsement (reading, gifted, ESOL) Testing strategies, motivation Reading & writing across the curriculum Spiraling social studies & science curriculum More hands-on math & science Continue book studies Alignment of SSS Lucy Calkins, Ruby Payne, Melissa Forney Representative Responses for #6:(What topics would you like to see offered for future Early Release days?)

12. Action research New technologies Scoring & grading of writing Literacy stations Inclusion Grade specific writing District rep’s to discuss SPPs, PPP, new items Literature circles Separate sessions for primary and intermediate groups/topics Writing engaging lesson plans Stress Release! #6 continued:

13. In summary, • The majority of respondents (81%) stated that overall, the Early Release days would contribute positively to raising student achievement; • The majority of respondents (80.8%) expressed a desire to continue Early Release for the coming school year; and • The respondents gave specific suggestions for improvement of this model, as well as for topics of interest for presentations during Early Release for the 2008-2009 school year.