Wider discussion of early dismissal days needed

Wider discussion of early dismissal days needed. A Register article described some pros and cons of the Milford schools using 10 early dismissal days for teachers and administrators to discuss and plan strategies to improve instruction. The school personnel, the Board of Education, parents and community members need further exploration of this before making any final decisions on how to proceed.

The schools are charged with educating all children living here. Those coming to school hungry or tired affect learning if they have difficulty focusing in class. School staffs face a variety of challenges daily. Educating children goes far beyond what can be measured in standardized test scores.

Educating students and preparing them for the world is not simplistic. Collaboration among the home, school and community is key to a successful system.

We face complicated problems that will not be solved by threatening at every turn to withhold public money. The community needs to have an honest, respectful and informed discussion about public education and its commitment to it.

Laura Fucci

Milford cuts teaching time

New haven Register Editorial 01/11/2010

Only in the whacky world of public education could Milford come up with the bizarre idea that students should be taught less to improve their education.

For Milford, it is not a new idea. Three years ago, high school classes were dismissed three hours early on 10 days. Now, high school, middle school and elementary classes are dismissed two hours early on 10 days. That’s 20 hours of lost instruction.

The early dismissals are necessary so that teachers can discuss ways to improve teaching their missing students. It may have occurred to someone to have the teachers stay after school, rather than dismiss the students early, but that thought ran up against the administration’s low expectations of teachers and their contract, which sets work hours.

R. Michael Cummings, the acting school superintendent, said that having teachers meet after a full 6½-hour day would not produce any new ideas because they would not have the energy to engage in discussions. Teachers’ low energy levels, however, may not be as much of a problem as renegotiating a contract that is hurting students’ education while limiting how much teachers can improve their performance.

Schools look at pros, cons of early dismissal program

Published: Tuesday, January 5, 2010

By Brian McCready, Milford Bureau Chief

MILFORD — The Board of Education will decide in February whether to extend a program through which students are dismissed two hours early 10 times a year for teachers to brainstorm best practices.

But school officials said that if the program continues, it may be tweaked, as there could be a future need to extend the school day or year to ensure instructional time is not sacrificed.

Acting Superintendent of Schools R. Michael Cummings said he thinks the program is invaluable and necessary if Milford “wants to have the best school system ... to compete with Fairfield County schools.” Cummings said giving staff dedicated time to brainstorm ideas will help students learn.

Critics of the program, however, say students are missing valuable instructional time, which is necessary when tests scores are on the decline, especially at the high schools.

Parent Jack Fowler, a vocal critic of the program, said the half days are a “joke.”

“I have not met a single teacher in Milford who has not implied it’s a joke,” Fowler said. “It’s aimless. I’m sure it’s well-intended. But this is the educational equivalent to Cash for Clunkers.”

Fowler said it costs $12 an hour to educate each of the district’s 7,200 students, and thus eliminating 20 hours of instructional time costs taxpayers more than $1.7 million a year.

The school board three years ago adopted a schedule at the high school through which students came to school three hours later on 10 days, so staff could meet to discuss teaching methods. This year, the program has been amended to include elementary and middle schools. However, students are now dismissed two hours early on 10 days.

Cummings said having the early dismissal allows staff to meet while they still have energy to be engaged. He said having staff meet after school after teaching for 6 1/2 hours would not lead to any new ideas. Cummings said the goal of the program is to come up with new ideas that will help Milford leapfrog other districts academically.

School board Chairman Mark Stapleton, R-1, suggested the board look at extending the school day or school year, because some parents are concerned about the loss of instruction time.

“There is a crunch for time,” Stapleton said. “It’s critically important that teachers can meet to share ideas to come to more common successful approaches. A lot of people misunderstand and think it’s just a half day. It’s serious work taking place.”

Cummings said any changes to the school day would have to be negotiated with the unions. He said he understands concerns about loss of instructional time, but added “change is slow too happen.”

“Losing instructional time hurts,” Cummings said. “But the advances in skill sets will compensate for the lost time.”

Jonathan Law High School Principal Janet Garagliano said conversations among staff members lead to “best practices,” and provide frank discussion and ideas.

But Fowler maintained students need to be in the classroom because test scores at every level are stagnant or declining, especially at the high schools.

Yet Cummings said there have been positive changes, and the “real purpose is focusing on the needs of the kids.”