New Horizons for Learning: Teaching and Learning Strategies

DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE
The "extended day" adds additional periods or additional minutes to the instructional day available to students. One model would offer courses for ten to twelve hours a day and students would schedule themselves as needed in the same way that university/college scheduling operates. In addition, students may take 7 or 8 courses a semester (or in block schedule 4 units per semester) and accelerate their movement through school. A second model would offer a 10 period day, but students would attend 7 consecutive classes (i.e. periods 1-7 or 2-8 or 3-9 or 4-10) with different starting and ending times. This model would necessitate maximum use of the cafeteria, media center, athletic field, band/choral programs, etc. during periods 4, 5, 6, and 7 when the entire student population would be on campus at once.

PRESENT SITUATION in Leon County
All high schools are on a seven period day with a number of students dual enrolled on campus and a few off campus. Some students attend additional adult ed classes to "catch up" or "accelerate" their progress through school. Both Lively and Adult Education are currently operating on an extended day model.
PRESENT SITUATION in other Florida School Districts/other states

Broward

Six period day with some adult ed extended day programs.

Dade

High School classes run periods 1-6. Beginning with period 7, the course offerings are under the adult education program. Students may have an "extended day" through dual enrollment.

Hillsborough

High schools run a six period day with an optional seventh period for electives and courses for Florida Academic Scholars credit needs. No schools are on an extended day.

Lee

Recently Board voted to continue 7 period day for next year. Adult Ed offerings were significantly reduced due to budget shortfall.

Pinellas

High schools are on six period day except for 2 IB schools and the Center for Advanced Technology. Adult Ed is used for students to catch up as well as double credit for alternative Ed course modifications.

Palm Beach

High schools currently are on a 7 period day with a great deal of adult Ed and dual enrollment.

Pasco

High schools are on a six period day. Courses are coordinated with adult education in the afternoon to help students seeking extra credits for the Florida Academic Scholars Program.

INTENDED OUTCOME - Affect on District Capacity Needs
Capacity increase of an Extended Day program is dependent upon the schedule implemented. As an example, a 14 period day potentially increases capacity by 100%. A 10 period day increases capacity by 42% over a seven period high school day IF the university/college scheduling model is used. However, if students attend 7 consecutive classes (as opposed to college model), the capacity to accommodate increased numbers of students is greatly reduced. (If consecutive class scheduling is used, only double sessions will produce a significant increase in student capacity.
COST CONSIDERATIONS
School Site
Capital
An extended day schedule may shorten the life cycles of all components of the building due to the increased utilization of the building. Shorter life cycles of paint, carpet, AC equipment, and other building components will require earlier replacement. However, life-cycle replacement costs calculated on a per student basis should remain about the same as that for a traditional school day program.
Operating
Personnel, utility, janitorial and maintenance costs would increase because of increased utilization and the longer school day. However, when calculated on a per student basis, these costs should remain about the same as that for a traditional school day program.
District Level
Capital
No additional cost anticipated other than that associated with student enrollment growth.
Operating
No additional cost anticipated other than that associated with student enrollment growth (personnel, finance, MIS, etc.).
Transportation
Service under this concept could be set up on the same concept as summer school. Busses would serve specific pick up points at specific times of the day (i.e. early, middle, or late runs). There may be additional costs with additional runs.
Food Services
In addition to the current food service, a snack bar concept could be added with food service open 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Maintenance
Janitorial activities could be carried out after the last period of the day or even on a late night shift.
ACADEMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Programs
All basic core curriculum courses could be offered several times throughout the day. All extra curricular activities could be scheduled during a two hour block (i.e. 3:00-5:00 p.m.) so that participating students could schedule their other courses around this block.
PERSONNEL CONSIDERATIONS
Additional staff may be needed according to staffing plan to accommodate growth. Additional supervisory staff may be needed. Employees might have greater flexibility in scheduling their hours on the job to fit their personal needs.
Classroom Teachers
LCTA
7.1 Normal workday defined as seven (7) hours plus fifteen (15) minutes plus professional duties as prescribed in 7.7. The workday shall include: planning preparation period, lunch period (paid). All duty time shall be considered contact time and not part of the teacher planning period.
7.6 Any assignment in addition to the normal work schedule during the school year... shall not be obligatory, but shall be with the consent of the teacher.
7.10 Requires a minimum of five (5) hours per week during the workday for planning which shall include 30 consecutive minutes per day.
8.2 Defines the teacher work day. Current practice of assigning high school teachers "duty" periods as one of their regular assignments could be a serious problem. High school teachers have five (5) regular classes, one (1) "duty" assignment and one planning period.
16.2 With more teacher time (longer work year) there will be an increase in earned sick leave.
21.1 States that employees who volunteer to teach six (6) contact hours or more shall be paid on the basis of an additional hour at their regular hourly rate and be required to work an additional hour. This language may need to be examined.
Academic Support Staff
LESPA
Additional staff may be needed to accommodate growth.
LOCAL 1010
General concerns may be more overtime pay for bus drivers or additional drivers and possibly more custodial hours (with a larger number of custodians eligible for all benefits, including medical coverage) or additional custodians. Working different shifts would be needed. However, when calculated on a per student basis, these costs should remain about the same as that for a traditional school day program.
Administrative
Administrator's schedules would be staggered to cover the extended day, though only one principal is assigned.
Administrative Support Staff
Attendance and other support staff may require additional hours or personnel to cover the longer day.
Other Support Staff
Support staff may be needed according to staffing plan to accommodate growth.
STUDENT CONSIDERATIONS
May increase scheduling options for students (i.e. school versus job hours) and give students the ability to accelerate high school graduation by taking additional courses on a space available basis. Designated areas for "out of class" students and supervision of those areas may have to be addressed.
PARENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

- Students may not be able to get desired schedule or have all classes contiguous.
-Site-based decision making procedure may be affected.
-Different scheduling may affect supervision of students/children.
-Children's jobs, workday for parents and transportation may be affected.
-Scheduling scouting and other after school activities may be affected.
-High schools have small volunteer groups - larger/smaller/same?
-Community perception of school may be affected.
-After school child care and school lessons may be affected.

COMMUNITY CONSIDERATIONS
Spreads out student car traffic. Police, school officials may have a more difficult time identifying truants or keeping campuses closed. The use of the school building for public meetings may be affected. Community activities would be on a space available basis.
POTENTIAL BARRIERS
Resistance to such a radical change from the traditional high school (middle school) model.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
No Policy directly addresses single or double sessions. Some flexibility in Policy 4.15 and 4.151, Pupil Progression Plan may be required if a six period day is necessary. Policy 1.04 calls for the School Board to annually adopt a school calendar, but does not specify any restrictions which will require changes for double sessions, extended day, or year-round programs.
REGULATORY/LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Section 235.436 defines "full school utilization program" includes, but are not limited to year-round school and extended school day programs, evening and weekend programs, and of schools by parks and recreation departments to offer planned and supervised recreational activities. Current language in Statute relates to "full school utilization planning administration" in the context of a grant program. The 1995 Florida Legislature is examining ways to add incentives to encourage greater use of facilities to reduce the construction needs statewide.
Section 230.23(10)(a) requires that School Boards provide for at least 180 days of operation for all schools or the equivalent on an hourly basis. Section 230.23(4)(f) calls for fixing a uniform date for the opening of all schools, "in so far as possible", with conditions for notifying the Commissioner of Education if a 12 month school program is established. Section 230.23(4)(i) permits the establishment of public evening schools.
Potential liability under "in loco parentis." Schools are currently responsible for students from home to school and from school to home. A method of handling this issue may need to be addressed.

Final May 9, 1995

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