BALANCED CALENDAR

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

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

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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 LOSS

FAIRCHILD, 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

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