Is FCPS "cheating" my kids out of the minimum instruction required by the state?

[Anonymous]

The state requires 990 hrs of instruction --- which does not include recess and lunch. If the schools in Fcps are counting 20 min/day of walking to and from the bus as "instructional time" (let's say 80 min/week since some weeks only have four days)....are my kids missing at least 80 min of instructional time per week
That the state says they are entitled to have? 80 min per week x 30 weeks means they are missing at least 40+ hours of instruction....which is at least a week and a half of school. Is this what is happening by counting the "walk to the bus" time as "instructional time"?

If recess and lunch do not count as instructional time, then how does "walk to the bus/car" count as instructional time?

[Anonymous]

The kids are supposed to be in class when the bell rings...not walking to school/car. They are dismissed at the end of the day. Your kids are not being cheated.

Last year, they could have been, because the county school year was based on 180 days and not 990 hours.

[Anonymous]

The schools are claiming the extra 10 min. PRIOR TO the last morning bell and 10 min AFTER the dismissal bell as being "instructional time"---thereby claiming to the state 20 min of instructional time that is in fact "walk to/from the bus" time.

This is a change from last year in what FCPS counts as "instructional time" for purposes of meeting the 990.

[Anonymous]

If those 20 minutes are the make or break point for your kids they need to be in a special class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If those 20 minutes are the make or break point for your kids they need to be in a special class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If those 20 minutes are the make or break point for your kids they need to be in a special class.

So I should just be ok with the school reducing the year by a week and a half less than the minimum requirements b/c it doesn't matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If those 20 minutes are the make or break point for your kids they need to be in a special class.

So I should just be ok with the school reducing the year by a week and a half less than the minimum requirements b/c it doesn't matter?

It really, really does not matter.

[Anonymous]

Remember, they are getting 2.5 more hours every Monday .

[Anonymous]

If minimum hours "don't matter" then (a) why does the minimum hours standard exist, and (b) if my kids aren't getting any benefit out of a week and a half of school, what does that say about the teaching?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember, they are getting 2.5 more hours every Monday .

this does not affect the calculation of time gained/lost/accounted for b/c the school is taking a bunch of days away for teacher training. The missing week and a half already accounts for the extended Monday time.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the answer is "yes -- they are short changing the kids, but so what?!"

[Anonymous]

There are more days, too. (I think, I haven't counted, but that's what it looks like)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If those 20 minutes are the make or break point for your kids they need to be in a special class.

So I should just be ok with the school reducing the year by a week and a half less than the minimum requirements b/c it doesn't matter?

It really, really does not matter.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If those 20 minutes are the make or break point for your kids they need to be in a special class.

So I should just be ok with the school reducing the year by a week and a half less than the minimum requirements b/c it doesn't matter?

They have enough instructional time. Thet need more free play, be it recess or time at home.

I agree. If those 20 minutes are make it break it for your kids, you need a special program, perhaps homeschooling.

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing this is more a principle matter rather than a true need.