Elementary task force

1. Elementary Task Force UpdateCollaboration Time February 22, 2010

2. February 8, 2010 Jody Anderson, Teacher, Ramsey Rolf Carlsen, Principal, Oxbow Creek LeMoyneCorgard, Teacher, Oxbow Creek Sharon Engel, Retired Principal, Eisenhower Laurie Resch, Director, Curriculum Sandy Skaar, Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota president Chris Vanjoske, Teacher, Andover Dr. Mary Wolverton, Associate Superintendent

3. Elementary Task Force Charge Elementary issues: Review curriculum selection/implementation and workload preparation time in a Meet and Confer advisory committee task force. The advisory task force shall report back to the school board.

4. Challenges More time required for instructional preparation Need a predictable, manageable and well communicated curriculum adoption plan More time is needed to teach complex and required curricula Increased amount of parent communication time outside duty day

5. Elementary Day The elementary day has not changed to keep up with new expectations. Instructional planning requires more prep time Time needed for collaboration among colleagues Elementary teachers have less team planning and collaboration time than secondary teachers Staff development during the school day creates an added burden Preparation for substitute teachers and continuity of instruction More time devoted to parent communication

6. Add Recess Para-Educators Provide more collaboration time by assigning para-educators recess duties Move to a 50 minute recess/lunch block 25 minutes more for collaboration, coaching or staff development More time required for instructional preparation

7. Elementary Task Force The elementary task force met on February 8 Members reviewed the elementary task force recommendations Reviewed concerns at the building level

8. Elementary Task Force Recommendations Currently staff are expected to meet four of the five days each week Recommendation that grade level teams meet one day a week, to discuss either math or reading Instructional coach attend the meeting one day a week serving as a resource

9. Elementary Task Force Recommendations Four days a week may be used to address a variety of teacher work load concerns with: Parent communications Collaborating with supplemental services Curriculum conversations Review of building and grade level goals Meet with students

10. Elementary Task Force Recommendations Collaboration time is not prep time Elementary principals may pull staff together in grade level teams to discuss topics such as resource allocation, review of goals, etc. Similar to what currently exists with duty time

11. Thank you.