Get Schooled

By GC

August 10, 2005 11:07 AM | Link to this

We did them last year in my NW Ga. school system. The first one was frustrating because the plans for what the conferences were to consist of were only finalized and communicated to us the day before the conferences, but they turned out better than we feared. The second set of days went much more smoothly. I had about 20% no-shows.

From my point of view, nothing that happened was useful to me. However, there were several parents who found out a ton about their children, progress, graduation requirements, paperwork problems, and grade problems, so I guess it was a reasonable success.

After it was over, I was much less hostile toward the process than I was earlier. At least it wasn’t a total waste of time.

By teacher

August 10, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this

These days are of little value. Originally slated as time for conferences, calling parents, etc, they have turned into two extra hours of meetings.

Our principal told teachers not to teach any new material on those days, they are only for review. Thus, the students began to think of them as attendance optional days.

Yuck, get rid of them!! I’d rather get out a day earlier.

By DW

August 10, 2005 11:21 AM | Link to this

Overall, I would consider it wasted time. a) parents have to find unaccustomed supervisory for their kids b) classes are shortened to the point that very little productivity can go on c) very few parents take the opportunity to communicate during this time frame (most of them with good reason, jobs, responsibilities, etc.) d)most of the parents who actually need to be concerned with their students aren’t no matter what time frame.

I constantly monitor my students’ progress and have usually already spent emailing, phoning and conferencing troubled students, I don’t need or want to do so at this time. What I decided to do with this time was to make a list of students who have done exceptionally well for me and call their parents and express my appreciation for the GOOD job they are doing. Often this seems to surprise them greatly, some of them even thinking it’s a practical joke.

PS: One parent got extremely irate after her sixth phone call from different teachers trying to communicate the student’s problems during one of these “release days.”

By Loretta

August 10, 2005 12:35 PM | Link to this

I would much rather to communicate with my son’s teacher via email (which I have been doing that since my son was in kindergarten) or face-to-face conference in the evenings, instead of getting early release days (which had became a big problem for working parents to find babysitters on those couple days). My son says he never learns anything new on those days of early releases (he’s now in third grade). If the school can put aside evenings to do fundraiser and other school functions, they can put aside couple evenings for conferences. It’s easier for the us to come after work, instead of trying to come in the late mornings or early afternoon when most of us are at work. Most bosses won’t let us take a long lunch or take an hour off work… especially when some of us don’t work near home. Can you imagine commuting to work in the morning, then come back here to go to the conference, and then have to go back to work, and again commute back home when the day is over??? Besides, evening conferences allow us not to have to worry about getting babysitter because either we can bring the child along for the conference or the child can be home with the other parent.

By oldteacher

August 10, 2005 12:53 PM | Link to this

Early release days are a waste of time. Many of the parents cannot get off work in order to visit with the teacher and many teacher, including myself, just sit and wait and no one shows up.

By Lynne

August 10, 2005 12:54 PM | Link to this

Early release days mean that the last bell in high school is held until the buses come back from dropping off the elementary school children. This can be upwards of a half of an hour! We aren’t allowed to release students who drive, have jobs, or walk home. So, we get to sit there and listen to them whine and complain because they’re going to be late for work!

By Jenn

August 10, 2005 03:26 PM | Link to this

Do you really think it is fair to require teachers to stay late into the evening, keeping them away from their children without anything in return (ie. pay, comp time). We have had early release days in my system. They went well. Our days require face to face conferences. I have found them very beneficial. I have been able to meet parents that I wouldn’t have otherwise met face to face. Yes, we are required to stay until 5 or 6 in the evening, however, we are able to use this time (after 3:30) to count for when we are out for snow. We are still home in time to spend time with the family. It is frustrating to have parents not show. I just use it for planning which we get very little of in elementary school. I have learned that some parents will NEVER darken the doors of a school. It doesn’t matter when we hold the conferences. We use parapros to man our afterschool care until 6:00. So this gives parents child care. Our parents found it useful enough to continue to this year!

By Danielle

August 10, 2005 04:03 PM | Link to this

As a teacher, I understand parents’ concerns about work schedules and day care costs. One issue is, if we, teachers, make appts. with parents in the evening, parents don’t show up aren’t held responsible, yet the teacher took the time to find care for his/her child(ren). We can use email, but can’t give the paper copies of anything to the parent or speak one-on-one. If we foward information via email, there is no guarentee the parent will get the info. Sending the info. home is the same problem. These conferences are an inconvience for everyone, but they are only twice a year. Why not use a “personal” day and spend time with your child? Take the time to meet the teacher face to face. SEE and LOOK what is happening in YOUR CHILD’S classroom. The kids’ love having the parent there! I’m teach at the high school level so we don’t have conferences like they do in the early grades, but I still find the conferences important for me to attend since I have my own children.

By Robert

August 10, 2005 04:10 PM | Link to this

As a teacher, I am unsure of how valuable half-days really are for the teachers or the students. Students that do come on those days usually are not in the frame of mind to learn anything - they are daydreaming about what they will be doing in a few hours. And in my school, teachers are required to sit through hours of unproductive meetings for the rest of the day.

I would rather just complete the day with the students in class and then have a extra full day of holiday! And, I think that the students/parents would agree. However, this idea makes too much sense for ANY school system to consider.

By Teaching

August 10, 2005 04:29 PM | Link to this

School is not a day care. I’m sorry to hear that parents have to find day care for their children a couple of days a year so that teachers can have some time to work and meet with parents, but isn’t it a parent’s job to provide care for their children and to find time to find out how their kids are doing in school? As a teacher, I have to find time to meet with parents on my own personal time if they don’t come in during the school day. I’m happy to work with parents to find a mutually agreeable time, but shouldn’t they put in some effort to meet with me? It is their child after all! I would think taking a few hours off a couple of times a year wouldn’t be too much for a parent who cares about their child. If you can’t take that time off, teachers are normally happy to find time in their non-working hours to meet with you. Teaching your child is a partnership between school and parent, not a day care system.

By Iteach

August 10, 2005 05:00 PM | Link to this

Our system went to the early release days last year. The stated idea was to allow for parent conferences during the day along with the “idea” that teachers did not need an entire planning day. At the end of last year a poll was taken and it was found to be a failure. We return to the full planning day this year.

Parents did not show up at my school and most schools (I teach H.S.), we had 5 parents out of 1200+ students. The following 1/2 days were staff developement and staff meetings with teahers allowed to be called out for conferences if needed - we didn’t have conferences.

Most of our teachers tried to continue instruction but it was impossible. Twice we tried to modify the bell system to get all classes in but with the requirement of serving all 4 lunches we only had the students for about 30 minutes. The other times we went with odd classes or even classes which ment you were behind with atleast one class.

Parents complained about having to have their children watched due to the early release. Students treated the days as either a play day or optional attendance day.

All in all - we as teachers did not have any planning. Most actually found that we lost ground since grades were still due but now the day was spend in workshops.

I’m glad those days are gone.

By Carla M.

August 11, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this

Early release seem to be non-contributory to both students and teachers, and obviously one of the reasons for the very negative early back-to-school start days. These days were not necessary in the past, and they are not necessary now. Ditch them, and the schedule could be returned to the sane Tuesday-after-Labor-Day, last week of May annual schedule we enjoyed in the past. All this administrative experimentation for its own sake makes the state and local systems appear to be doing “busy work” without sufficient justification.

By Laura

August 11, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

Half days are a waste of education time. The schedule is so disrupted no learning happens.

My husband and I attended every conference opportunity - as did most parents of the high-acheiving students.

Kudos to school systems that provide supervision for kids while parents are in conference - we used movies in the library supervised by parapros or PTO parents. Teachers’ kids are welcome, too.

Thumbs down for year after year never actually telling parents what time of day “early release” is so we know when the kids would be let out and when to meet kids at the bus stop.

As far as teachers working late, I don’t think anyone likes the inconvenience and the lack of compensation for occasional late hours, (teachers or other workers) but if that is when your audience is available, that’s when you need to be available. It is more economically viable to change the schedule for a few dozen educators per school than for hundreds of families and hundreds of families’ employers.

By Amazed

August 11, 2005 11:23 AM | Link to this

I’m not a teacher, but I am a parent. I think that early release or conference days are extremely important. We need to keep the communication lines open between teachers and parents. I understand, why, some people feel that they are not beneficial and are very time consuming. They can be, but only if, your child has done everything that is expected of them such as: turning in homework on time, using time wisely, not talking during class, paying attention, making “Good� grades, etc…

However, I believe that teachers and administrators will save parents and themselves a lot of time, by identifying parents they need to see “face� to “face� – from other parents. The kids do not need to know or feel picked on because of this, because it can be done very discreetly. Parents who have kids that are doing what is expected can do a phone conference call, just to touch base and bring up issues.

As for the parents you never see or hear from, you can make it mandatory attendance for at least a conference call or “face� to “face� meeting. If their child is a big problem, make it mandatory for a “face� to “face� visit.

Those are just my two cents, but please keep the conference days with parents.

By No BIg Deal

August 11, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this

Our school system in Muscogee County only has early release once a month, so to me it is no big deal. I try to plan appointments or whatever on those days.

By J

August 11, 2005 12:56 PM | Link to this

Early release does make sense during final exams- otherwise there’s a lot of sitting around waiting on the next test. The other early release days usually don’t live up to their stated purposes. However, they do count toward the required 180 days, whhich may be part of the appeal.

By G

August 11, 2005 01:44 PM | Link to this

My schedule is just as hetic as any other working parent. I travel on business and frankly it is not fun to find alternative childcare or change my travel schedule for those random conference designated afternoons.

However I, as an adult and parent, recognize this is how I now!! spend my vacation time. Why? Because my children are my number one priority and although I have limited time off (just like everyone else) maybe, just maybe, the time I spend with them will benefit both them and me.

I really like the idea of parapros conducting videos or games in the library because it is difficult to find the child care for the parent-teacher conference.

By Androne

August 11, 2005 03:19 PM | Link to this

If I had a problem with early release, I never would have had kids to worry about in the first place.

By Al

August 11, 2005 04:21 PM | Link to this

I think they are a waste of time. I correspond with, via email, with my kids teacher at least once a week. I have instructed all of their teachers to call me at anytime if there is a discipline problem. The few problems we had in elementary school were stopped due to instance contact and a trip to the school right then. Boo Hoo to not wanting to work late to have conferences after hours or on Saturday for your “workshops”. Use the para pros at your schools to watch your kids while you have conferences with your student’s parents. It’s part of the job. One teacher verses 20-30 parents being inconvenienced. Do the math. I’m required to work many days after my normal quitting time. It’s known as being a professional. If some of these responses are from teachers, no wonder our schools are ranked in the bottom 5 nationally. With comments like “I’m teach at the high school so we don’t have ….” You may teach at the high school level but your writing is closer to grade school.

Almost all of the “Early Release” days in our school district are for “teachers workshops” not parent conferences. I do not have a problem with having a conference with the teachers during the day. My problem is with the “workshops”. Have you heard of Saturdays? You know, 3 or 4 hours spent in a workshop on Saturday morning would be more productive than trying to squeeze it in in an afternoon. Deal with it. It’s your chosen profession. If you can not deal with the requirements, find another profession

By L

August 11, 2005 04:32 PM | Link to this

I am all for meeting with teachers and have done so regularly. However, early release days are a nightmare for working parents. I’d rather have an entire day off for the student instead of a 1/2 day. That way I can arrange for care without having to leave work or arrange for someone pick my child up in the middle of the day. The students will tell you that these shortened days are not productive and some classes don’t even make an attempt to cover academic material in the short time they are given.

By Tam

August 11, 2005 05:09 PM | Link to this

We have early release in my county (Dekalb) and at my particular school none of the early release days have been used for parent conferences. to my knowledge they are used for workshops and allowing the teacher time to get report cards and other items ready for conferences which will begin the next week.
It is frustrating as others have stated to find a sitter. I do feel that it is a waste of time for the students b/c nothing gets done. My child goes to school eats breakfast and then immediatedly turns around and eats lunch and then school is out. The teacher does not teach anything. For every 2 early release day just add a teacher work day if that is what is suppose to happen otherwise eliminate the entire concept.

By DEKALB PARENT

August 12, 2005 08:32 AM | Link to this

I wish they would get rid of those days, my kids only go to school for 3 hours on those days before they are let back out, they are always on a friday and I cant get off early. Also my kids school doesnt have planned conferences on the early release days so if I do take off there’s no conference time, but on the days when I cant get off, they plan conferences and between the hours of 3-5 (working hours). So yes, they suck.

By Calvin

August 12, 2005 08:56 AM | Link to this

What bothers me more than half-days is closing schools for a whole day so a few students and parents can attend athletic events in other cities. This places a great burden on working parents who have to scurry around and find someone to care of their children. This is totally unfair and should be banned by the State Board of Education. Also, schools should eliminate some of the off days and begin classes after Labor Day. The 180-day requirement could be reached and classes could end in May, giving students a full three-month vacation.

By Nancy

August 12, 2005 09:45 AM | Link to this

Several points:

By Jacqui

August 12, 2005 10:24 AM | Link to this

As a student, early-release days are viewed by most of us as a relief; a day to just go home, relax, and release all the stress that has built up over the past weeks and months due to a heavy work load. With two AP classes and being co-captain of the track team, it is a well deserved and well-needed break. Parents, Teachers, not all kids are bad, alot of them work really hard and need a break to just go home and take a nap or read a book for fun. Without a break, kids will get more frustrated and hostile towards the work that causes so much stress, and will be less inclined to do it, and more inclined to do something that could possibly harm them and their future.

By susan

August 12, 2005 12:34 PM | Link to this

As the mother of a teacher I know what teacher’s schedules are like.The parents who consider it an imposition to find different care for their children on early release days are the ones who say teacher’s make too much money, I mean ” they don’t work 8 hour days, they have all those vacations days, etc…”. It is never the parents who can most easily adjust their schedules and afford to,ie the professionals, who show up for the very needed conferences. The parents who work at plants and mills take the time off and actually make it to conferences.The time of an hourly paid job cost them a lot more than the salaried parents. School is not free baby sitting and the sooner all parents realize this the sooner we can start making teaching what it should be “educating the adults of tomorrow”. The parents who whine the loudest also usually have the worse students-coincidence-probably not. Please don’t ask my child to baby sit your child and then wonder why Harvard and Yale does not welcome then with open arms. If you eant your child to be educated let the teachers do just that.

By bb

August 12, 2005 01:23 PM | Link to this

As a teacher I have been doing early release days/parent conferences for over 20 years. Parent conferences are worth all the preparation, time, and juggling of schedules for me. But I have long thought that a better way would be to just do them all in one day. Early release days are circuses — the kids are hyped up, I have to teach most of the day and then confer w/ parents for 6 to 7 hours. It’s exhausting. If the kids had the day off, parents could arrange for day-long child care. When I had children in school myself, I often had to run across town and get them situated before coming back to do my parent conferences. It was hectic. But I still maintain that conferences are worth everything — but there is a better way to do them.

By NS

August 12, 2005 01:38 PM | Link to this

I guess I’m confused about this “finding childcare” business - when I was in school, the daycare picked us up on early-release days just as they did on regular days, and we were just there an extra two hours. Or, when I was older, I just went home a little earlier. I suppose there are other setups, but find it a little specious that a private daycare provider would just flat-refuse to accomodate this twice-yearly event. Beside the fact, parent-teacher conferences are good for the kids. My mom went to every single conference ever scheduled, and I wasn’t a delinquent or falling behind or anything — it just gave me the impression that she was involved with my life. Which, if I need to explain, is actually good for kids.

By Michael

August 12, 2005 01:54 PM | Link to this

HAving been a teacher in Dekalb for the past 5 years I have mixed feelings. Early release days are good because they expect [Dekalb and the State] so many hours of staff development from us. So these days are good becasue we get more time for the mandated staff development instead of cancelling school altogether. However these days are a complete waste of time for the students. They come in and follow their regular schedule. A lot of syduents will miss math, reading, or writing because they have to go to sepcials. By the time they get back from specials they have lunch and very little time for instruction. If we are going for helping the teachers then keep going on with early release days, but if we are here for instructing kids then get rid of these days. Or maybe we could cut down on the mandated number of staff development hours. I mean we are capable teacherrs who got the job because we are considered highly qualified..If I could beileve that to be true I would be content with getting rid of staff development all together.

By Carol

August 12, 2005 03:28 PM | Link to this

I think early release days for conferences is very well worth the time & effort. I keep up with my children’s academic & behavior progress through their teachers via email but face to face is very important because you get more information especially if your child attends with you. It is helpful to have my middle school age child attend the conference with me so that he can be accountable to the teacher & me for his behavior. I say Thank you to the teachers for taking the time to update me in person and I know that our children are worth the time that we take being involved in their education.

By Me

August 23, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

In a previous life, in another state, there was a weekly early release day. One day a week, kids would get out early at all schools. It was a more progressive state, though, and more curriculum planning was needed amongst the teachers. For example, the Math curriculum really needed to be laid out in detail. And, it had to be supplemented. The teachers were supposed to use the time for planning and coordinating with each other. It was one day, every week.

When it was first announced and debated, parents were so concerned and brought up all these issues (and more). The school district included local daycare centers in the discussion. The daycares in the area were able to plan and accomodate parents. The same way that daycares work around school holidays (Christmas and Spring Break), they can work around early release days. I don’t daycare problems as a valid point. Daycare business revolves around the school system and it’s schedules. It would be a really poor operating center to not realize that.

By Me

August 23, 2005 10:28 AM | Link to this

Nancy — *We need to move to year round school. The 180 days needs to be divided among the 365 days of the year. * I wholeheartedly agree. North Fulton and other crowded areas should REALLY consider this very strongly. It would be such an advantage to splitup the student body and ease the crowding. But the majority will never play along, so it ends up being a charter option with wait lists. Argh.