Releasing students early from school once a month so that teachers can enhance learning outcomes is a positive change, according to local educators.
That was their pitch at a learning forum at Southern Okanagan Secondary School last week.
Very few parents (only 10) showed up for the presentation despite the topic being controversial among some mothers and fathers, who voiced their concerns at a previous board meeting.
School District 53 proposes to dismiss students early from school once a month for seven months throughout the year.
Students would lose 90 minutes of instruction each month (proposed for the last Wednesday of the month). This equals 10.5 hours of reduced class time during the school year.
During these 90 minutes scheduled for Wednesday afternoons, teachers and administrators would collaborate to discuss how best to improve learning for all students, particularly those who are struggling.
Bev Young, superintendent of schools for School District 53, began the forum by stating school administrators believe the team inquiry model will make a difference in learning outcomes.
“Sometimes you have to land the plane in order to work on it,” Young said.
Shendah Benoit, vice-principal of Osoyoos Elementary School, said teachers want to make education much more engaging for students, therefore, teachers require the time to learn these new approaches.
Teacher Melia Dirk from Oliver Elementary School explained how one student “hated” reading, but after they took a different approach (by lowering his reading level), he developed more confidence and was soon acknowledging how good he was at reading.
Educator Steve Podmorow from South Okanagan Secondary School explained why teachers believe they and students need teacher collaboration time during school hours.
He noted teachers don’t have a lot of time to get together and collaboration by invitation never works.
“I think it’s important to embed it into the day because so many people (teachers) are busy marking and helping students with extra activities. Putting aside time after school is unrealistic.”
Podmorow said collaboration time gives teachers a means to tackle goals outlined in the B.C. Education Plan.
These goals include improving academic success, sharing best practices, developing interventions for at-risk students, and tracking those who are struggling to succeed.
Podmorow said collaboration time provides an opportunity for ongoing face-to-face communication, which is best.
“We can’t achieve our goals if we don’t collaborate. One-day conferences are not enough,” he said.
The forum was divided into groups of people who outlined what they liked and didn’t like about the proposal.
What people like was the concept is research-based, every student would benefit, it helps students on the fringe and there’s ongoing communication.
What people don’t like is the potential loss of instructional time, parents having to find daycare and determining how parents will know this model is working?
Young encouraged parents to visit the district’s website and use the feedback forum.
Local parent Rachel Allenbrand said she took the time to learn more about this model and was impressed by what she saw.
“If this proposal will help my boys learn the best way they can, and if this proposal will help the teachers learn about my children and all their unique attributes, then I am all for it.”
But Allenbrand empathized with parents who will have to find alternate child care for these seven days throughout the year.
Benoit, a mother of six, said teaching is not about time, it’s a “work of art” (understanding what students need).
“I don’t want my children’s education to become their child care. I want my children to be educated to go forward and inquiry will lead to that.”
Marcus Toneatto, principal of SOSS, said they are asking all of their teachers to do more, but without support, it’s not going to happen.
He noted education is changing and schools have to adapt to students’ needs. If you keep doing the same thing and you’re not getting the results you expect, it’s time to change the approach.
School trustee Rob Zandee said inquiry time is a means for teachers to educate their students better and engage them in their learning.
He admitted math was a real struggle for him in school. The only person who was able to engage him in mathematics was a chess coach. That teacher used a different approach that worked.
Lisa McCall, principal of Okanagan Falls Elementary School, said the 90 minutes of reduced instructional time each month will result in many more hours of student success through collaboration time.
The school board will deliberate on the proposal  at its next public meeting on May 22.