New Calendars Could Boost Instruction Time

calendar comparison A look at the 2013-14 calendar and the proposal for 2014-15: scheduled hours of instruction (without weather-related delays) 2013-14 2014-15 Elementary schools that currently have a weekly two-hour early release 1,042 1,100 All other elementary, middle and high schools 1,096 1,100 teacher professional learning hours (during late start/early dismissal) 2013- 14 2014-15 Elementary schools that currently have a weekly two-hour early release 74 31 All other elementary, middle and high schools 20 31 Source: The Dubuque Community School District public input People can review the calendar in detail and provide their input by visiting www.dbqschools.org. Public input will be taken through Monday, Feb. 3. "I strongly encourage people to give their input," said Tammy Duehr, lead instructional coach with the district and president of Dubuque Education Association.Student instructional time is increased and weekly Wednesday early releases are eliminated in two proposed 2014-15 Dubuque school calendars.

New Calendars Could Boost Instruction Time

Instruction Time

Both proposals include a late start every Friday, and one eliminates the week off for spring break. District officials seek public feedback on the calendars.

The calendar for Dubuque public and parochial students will switch from a calendar based on 180 school days to a calendar based on at least 1,080 hours of instruction. A new state rule requires districts to choose between a days calendar or an hours calendar beginning next school year.

Dubuque Community School District Superintendent Stan Rheingans said the new rule also changed the definition of a school day to mean at least six hours of instruction. Under that definition, days that involved a late start or early dismissal wouldn't be long enough to count toward the 180-day requirement, he said.

So, the district decided to move ahead with a calendar based on instructional hours, Rheingans said.

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"We have really looked at this as an opportunity to re-evaluate the calendar. We want to give kids as much time with highly qualified staff members as we can," he said.

Two draft calendars - one with a weeklong spring break and one without - will be posted online for public input starting this morning. Input will be analyzed and shared with the school board well before its vote on a calendar at the Feb.