PCBL Review Committee

Hello PCBL Team, 

Last year, we at Spectrum received a waiver to the 180 day rule (R277-419-6) and have had a four day instructional week for this school year. Our ability to maintain this waiver depends upon the collection of required data and, most importantly, student progress. Here are my responses for the discussion.

1. The removeal of thehour requirement and the definition of a minimal school day would not have affected our current outcome, however it may have offered us the permission to explore other options had this been adjusted last school year. Going forward, we will continue to seek permission for our waiver.
2. With our current schedule, we do meet the 990 hours which includes both traditional days and short days for student conferences. Being a charter school, the reduction in days is a factor that most affects our families. Saving on gas to drive one less day has made an impact. If we were to maintain the 180 and simply reduce the hours, this would not benefit our families. Adding the hour requirement or definition of a school day would not make too much of a difference for our population.
3. In preparation for our proposal last year, we collected input from our stakeholders, reviewed research, and provided ample opportunity for input as we developed our 4 day instructional week with an optional in person Fridays for families who need the support or would have had to withdraw otherwise. Other data we have is the comparison of retention data from last year to this year, end of term family and staff surveys, and weekly staff surveys which include a measure of work-life balance.
4. My reccommendation would be to allow for any LEA to consider a 4 day instructional week writen into state code.