The Littleton Public Schools Board of Education has proposed a new calendar for the 2007-2008 school year with the goal of allowing teachers to focus more time to improve student learning.

On Jan. 18, the Board narrowed four calendar proposals to two. Each calendar has PLC (Professional Learning Community) time on Wednesdays throughout the year. During this PLC time, teachers will analyze student test results and share learning methods with co-workers. On Feb. 8 the Board was expected to make their final decision.

To make up for the lost class time, more time will be added to each school day. The school year will begin and end on comparable dates to those of previous years. The number of instruction days will also remain the same. /p>

On the specific Wednesday intended for PLC time, school will be delayed by two hours. The eight-day proposal allows for 8 PLC days (one each month except August and May) and the 10-day proposal allows for ten PLC days (none in Aug., Dec., March and May; one in Sept. and Jan. and two in Oct., Nov., Feb. and April). “Research and emerging practice across the United States are finding that staff need regular, focused, and collaborative time throughout the year to examine data around student achievement in order to determine the next steps in the learning process,” Littleton Public Schools superintendent Scott Murphy said. “Research is consistent that the time also must be embedded in the professional work day to have the maximum effect,” Murphy said. “Putting it at the end of the day will conflict with coaching and club responsibilities.” The ultimate goal of the changes is to help students excel. The Board hopes that by 2011, 90 percent of all students will be on or above grade level in reading, math, writing and science.

The Board believes the way we use time has a major effect on how the LPS students excel. When one of the proposals is approved, both 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school year calendars will allow for PLC time. “The calendars posted on the website are models only, used to facilitate the Board’s discussion; they may or may not be the calendars ultimately brought before the Board for recommended action Feb. 8,” Murphy said.< p>

For more information on time study research and plans for LPS, navigate to the “time study” page under the “for parents” section of www. littletonpulicschools.com.