DVUSD Proposal: Shorten 1 School Day Per Week for Teacher Development

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In an effort to give teachers time to develop teaching plans and assessments and to collaborate across all grade levels, Deer Valley Unified School District is “in the early stages” of considering a plan to start school late or end early one day each week. The concept, if implemented, would replace the current scheme of monthly early releases (Friday half-days), the district said in a statement.

Parent input on the idea is being sought, via a survey here. “The survey will be open at least through Monday, Jan. 15,” said DVUSD spokesperson Monica Allread. “We have emailed all DVUSD parent about the survey with the link, and we will email them again before it closes, when a closing date is confirmed.”

Options in the survey include whether a parent favors the new idea, which day would be preferable (choose among Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only) and whether a late start or early release is preferred.

“’Late start’ or ‘early release’ are practices used by many school districts across the nation and Arizona to enhance educational opportunities and quality for children through the creation of job-embedded professional development and collaboration time for teachers,” according to the statement. “By carving out precious time for teachers, creating mutual accountability for how time is utilized, and implementing new curriculum and instructional practices developed during this time, communities create possibilities for increasing student achievement and expectations.” Discuss this Story on Facebook >>>

Staff Writers
North Phoenix News staff writers and editors often work together to produce articles like this one.

Staff Writers

North Phoenix News staff writers and editors often work together to produce articles like this one.

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