What are the advantages for schools/students to implement an eight period day schedule?
• The eight period day schedule allows schools to offer students remediation, acceleration, enrichment, and credit recovery classes during the regular school day.
• After an implementation time of four years (because credit recovery classes are offered during the regular school day), the eight period day schedule allows for greater number of students to graduate within the four years of high school; hence, making it possible for schools to meet AYP as it relates to graduation rate.
• Students that are consistently not able to access elective programs due to required remediation are now able to do so under this schedule structure.
• Class size requirement is more easily met by schools that implement this schedule structure.
• All students can access academy courses related to their future career goals.
What are the disadvantages for schools/students to implement an eight period day schedule?
Without appropriate professional development, it will be a bit difficult for teachers to successfully teach in a block of time greater than 60 minutes
What are the advantages for a teacher to teach in an eight period day schedule?
- Teacher receiving a 7th period supplement still have a planning period.
- Teachers are guaranteed daily 90 minute planning.
- Teachers have opportunities to earn two 7th period supplements.
What are the disadvantages for a teacher to teach in an eight period day schedule?
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Teachers teach six out of eight periods without additional compensation.
Why should I teach an extra class for no extra pay?
In the eight period day schedule structure, teachers teach six periods out of eight with two planning periods of 90 minutes each. The average teacher work load in SSR schools for core and non-core classes must be the same over six periods as they were over five periods. This means that, even though a teacher is teaching an additional period, the work load of students over six periods is the same as it was over five periods and the length of the day is the same.
Are there opportunities for 7th period supplements for teachers in SSR schools?
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Just as there are opportunities for 6th period supplements in a six period school day, there are opportunities for 7th period supplements in schools implementing the eight period day structure. Additionally, in schools implementing the eight period day schedule, possibilities exist for teachers being able to receive an 8th period supplement (paid at the same level of compensation as a 7th period supplement).
Are there risks for elective teachers to be surplused if a school does not implement the eight period day schedule?
That depends on the school and its needs. As the number of students in need of remediation increases in a school, the number of electives courses that can be offered may diminish; hence, creating the possibility for some elective teachers to either be assigned to teach out of field or be surplused from that particular school.
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Why is eight period day schedule good for students if there are fewer contact hours per subject area (especially for mathematics and Advanced Placement classes)?
The eight period day schedule is good for students because they can take two additional classes per day for the four years of high school. This gives them an additional eight credits that can be used to accelerate (take more AP/honors classes), enrich (take more elective classes), or recover credits (take over failed classes during the school day). Additionally, schools can now offer courses to extend work in particular courses. For example, a school can offer an lab class for an AP Biology course; hence, doubling the amount of time spent covering that AP material.
What are the voting procedures that schools must follow in order to implement the eight period day schedule?
Provisions of the SSR Initiative (implementation of the eight period day structure) shall only become effective upon an affirmative vote of 66% or more of the teachers (includes counselors) present and voting at each of the schools considering implementation (schools must vote every year). The vote must be conducted by secret ballots during a faculty meeting which must be noticed to the faculty at least five working days prior to taking the vote. The UTD Building steward shall count the ballots and report the results to the faculty during this scheduled faculty meeting.
Can schools vote mid-year to change their waiver?
No. The waiver is for the entire school year.
If school staffs vote to implement but at the end of the school year they find the model does not work for them, must they continue to implement the eight period day schedule?
The waiver provision which establishes the eight period day schedule is valid for one year only. This means that if staff at a particular high school voted to implement this schedule structure for the 2007-2008 school year, a vote to re-implement the for 2008-2009 must be taken following the SSRI Labor Contract provisions. If the vote is not affirmative, the school will not implement the eight period day schedule.
Will school staffs be able to vote on choices other than the eight period day schedule?
The only schedule structure negotiated as part of the SSRI Labor Contract provisions is the eight period day schedule.
What bonuses, incentives or other rewards does Dr. Crew receive if the system switches to the eight period day schedule for all high schools?
None
Is it true that M-DCPS plans to impose the eight period day schedule in all high schools?
As part of the SSRI Labor Contract Provisions it was negotiated that when 80% of all high schools have voted to implement the eight period day structure, this will become the model for all high schools.
Is it true that principals receive bonuses if they get the eight period day schedule passed at their respective high schools?
Principals do not receive any additional compensation for getting staff to vote for the implementation of the eight period day structure.
How can teachers be assured that they will not receive an additional class load of students when teaching 6 periods out of 8?
As part of the SSRI Labor Contract Provisions it was negotiated that the average student load at secondary schools will not increase over the average student load in the previous year’s core courses or the average student load in the previous year’s non-core courses.
What data is available that indicates the effectiveness of the eight period day schedule?
At present, there is no empirical data that can be shared. As the eight period day schedule is being implemented in schools, District staff is collecting data on a number of metrics to determine effectiveness as it relates to student achievement.
Have any schools which voted for the eight period day schedule opted out of the model?
Every school that re-voted selected to maintain the eight period day schedule.
How will a reduction in overall class time affect the performance of students in AP exams?
In schools that implemented this model last year, AP performance did not diminish while student participation in the program increased.
