Early Release Survey

Report to the School Board

February 2008

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?

23 Elementary Schools Responded, Representing642 instructional employees

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Representative Responses for #5:(Do you have any suggestions for improvement?)

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 #6:(What topics would you like to see offered for future Early Release

days?) 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

#6 continued:

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!

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.