Proposed Calendar 2.0 References

Research Sources

Starting in 2006, CVSA began studying schools where achievement improved.  The regional group of superintendents soon realized that how blocks of time were devoted to student learning appeared to influence achievement.  Then, in 2010, CVSA officially charged a Task Force to review the current school year calendar, study alternative models, and recommend a calendar based on agreed-upon principles.

That Task Force referred to several sources as they created the proposed Calendar 2.0, including:

• Regional Educational Laboratory at EDC 
• National Center on Time and Learning
• San Francisco Bay Area KIPP Schools: A Study of Early Implementation, First year Report 2004-2005 
• Evaluation of the Expanded Learning Time Initiative: Year One Report 2006-2007
• Learning Takes Time for At-Riskers. 2005 Education Digest
• A New Day for Kids. 2007. Educational Leadership
• Year-Round Education. 1993. ERIC Document
• The Bigger Picture: What about Year-Round Education? 2005. Eric Document
• Review of Extended-Day and After-School Programs and their Effectiveness. 1998.
• Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk
• What Twenty Years of Educational Studies Reveal about Year-Round Education. 1994. Eric Document
• A Five-Year Comparison between an Extended Year School and a Conventional Year School: Effects on Academic Achievement. 2008. Eric Document
• The Quality Imperative: A state Guide to Achieving the Promise of Extended Learning. 2009. Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
• National Association for Year-Round Education
• The Perennial Reform: Fixing School Time. 2008. Phi Delta Kappan. 

Opportunities Discussed During Recent Partner Summit

Discussion from recent Partner Summit 7/23/13

On July 23, 2013, CVSA and Vermont Afterschool, Inc sponsored a “Partner Summit,” where a variety of out-of-school organizations and school systems met to discuss opportunities within Calendar 2.0. There were 64 participants total, representing:

• 13 statewide and cross-region partners 

• 7 superintendents (and a handful of school leadership members) 

• 18 afterschool programs 

• 6 libraries 

The meeting agenda focused on: setting the context for the proposed Calendar 2.0, brainstorming opportunities, creating themes, and discussing next steps.

By the end, the entire group came up with nine themes that needed further exploration: Equity, Intersessions, Funding, Logistics, Communication, Childcare, Transportation, Teacher Contracts, and Learning.

Click here to view the presentation from the Partner Summit.

Discussion between school systems and local/regional organizations will continue into the school year. Partners and school leaders will be present at the upcoming Fall Engagements (Oct. 2, Oct. 3, Oct. 9, and Oct. 10) - these locations/times will be scheduled soon.

All participants scribed their thoughts about four questions (the first three questions were done in silence as participants walked around tables with large paper and markers)

This Partner Summit was the first time school systems and out-of-school organizations ever met to discuss our communities’ most valuable asset - children - and more specifically, how to create opportunities to enhance their learning experiences, both in and out of school.

Proposed Champlain Valley Regional “School Calendar 2.0” Community Engagements

 Scheduled for October

Four dates in October, 2013 have been established for community forums across Chittenden County regarding the proposed Vermont Champlain Valley regional “School Calendar 2.0” for the 2014-2015 school year. 

Based on the Vermont Superintendent's Association (VSA) Education Quality Framework and the VT World-Class Education Agenda, the School Calendar 2.0 is a new way of looking at what a school calendar could look like.

This calendar preserves the current 175 student days while building in blocks of times, or intersessions, that could be used for multiple purposes for multiple stakeholders.

        The dates for these regional forums are: 

• October 2^nd
• October 3^rd
• October 9^th
• October 10^th

Specific locations and times are being finalized and will be announced soon. For more information on the proposed regional calendar, visit: schoolcalendar2.blogspot.com.

School Calendar 2.0

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Parents and Community Members:

In 2010, the Champlain Valley Superintendents created a task force to review the current school year calendar, study alternative models, propose a modified calendar based on 21^st century principles, generate an engagement plan and develop steps for implementing a transformed calendar for the 2014-2015 school year. 

Over the course of 2.5 years, the task force studied national and international calendar structures and analyzed potential constraints and challenges of altering the existing school year calendar – all with the goal of increasing student learning and achievement.  After much discussion, planning and exploration, the Champlain Valley Superintendents are ready to present a draft school year calendar to constituents. 

Below you will find resources that will help you understand the guiding principles of the draft school year calendar and some of the potential benefits of the model.  Please take time to review these resources and provide feedback.  It is important to emphasize that this is not an approved school year calendar.  The Champlain Valley Superintendents and I want to engage constituents in a conversation and get their input on the strengths and challenges of modifying a school year calendar format that has been in place for decades.  This communication is the first step in capturing feedback from individuals who will be affected by reconfiguring the school year.

Resources as follows:

• Regional blog link -  schoolcalendar2.blogspot.com - (blog includes FAQs, calendar comparison and other relevant information)
• 2.0 Calendar Informational Slides
• Draft of 2014-2015 School Year Calendar

Thank you for taking the time consider this change and share your perspective as we look for new and innovative ways to meet the academic and societal needs of every student. 

Sincerely,

John Alberghini

Superintendent, Chittenden East Supervisory Union

A Message for Teachers