No Half Days, No Grades!

This is the one test that classroom teachers actually have the ability tailor for their students and their content. All other tests are given with little or no information as to what is on them. In other words, these tests that students take last and for the least amount of time have the potential to be the most meaningful. Half-day exam schedules will allow the students to be better equipped to do their best on these exams.

Please take into consideration the whole child and the whole teacher. Much can be gained from rest. We know from research and best practices that the mind is able to work at maximum capacity only after certain needs are met. If we stretch both adults and students to their limit, it is not only harmful to learning outcomes, but it is emotionally straining. Think larger than just a few hours. Allow our students and teachers to rest. The outcomes will be greater.

For the couple of days that are well within the district's control to alter, why is it so outrageous to provide this small accommodation? My freshmen, in particular, have asked about half-days for testing. They are overwhelmed with having just taken the iReady, the HSA, a citywide benchmark, and now finals/mid-terms. It is inhumane to expect them to tolerate these marathon testing sessions. Additionally, it is bewildering to me that any educational leaders would expect accurate--let alone optimal--results when students have to take so many assessments in such a small amount of time. Simply put, they need a break. Testing conditions are equally as merciless on teachers.

Utilize common sense here.

Half days are beneficial for all parties involved.

Giving exams in the middle of “normal” days removes the students’ understanding that middle term and final exams have additional weight and value. We give the SAT on Saturdays because, after taking the SAT, your brain should be tired. The same applies to exams. The CEO is doing this because he fears push back from people who have a lot to say about education and have actually been in a classroom. It may also connect to fear that students will make poor decisions if they are let out early. Those students represent a tiny sliver of the overall student population. We are not preparing students for college when we take away these half days. Also, when are teachers supposed to grade these? If you teach 80 students, you may have 80-160 essays to read and grade. Each essay, if graded properly with a rubric, takes at least 10 minutes. That does not include time for comments. If things do not change, we will see results plummet, teachers leave, and students push back. The CEO should be ashamed.

My students use the half days during exam week to study for their exams. We have study sessions during that time that they will now not have the opportunity to have. Also, taking 3 hours of exams in one day is exhausting for students who are already over tested. On a more selfish note, my classes change completely and I need time to interpret the data from my incoming classes in order to differentiate the curriculum to meet their needs for my unit and lesson plans. I must also compile data for my current classes for the teachers they will be travelling to. I need to obtain the parental contacts and greet my incoming parents and guardians. Furthermore, I must grade exams and all make up work and extra credit given to students as interventions for success and track down books and materials from each student from this semester so that next semester students can have books and materials. To be honest three half days are not enough. Taking them away ensures lower exam/course grades, mistakes in student grades and GPA’s, the loss of materials, and an unprepared classroom for incoming students and parents.

Teachers are already over worked and underpaid. They need this time to help educate properly! Join me in signing this petition!

I agree with everything stated and then some. Any school wide testing effort for schools with 1500+ students is challenging to make plans for, much less deliver, grade, and report on a nearly impossible timeline. There is a concern for safety as well with a mix of high test burnout (due to 4 consecutive district and state mandated tests: PARC PBA, iReady, PARCC EOY, and HSA) and aggravation due to being in a class that is technically over.

As the husband of an already overworked teacher, this is more stress my family doesn't need

Need more time!

This is especially important for special education students who may need to use a make up slot to take advantage of the extended time allowed them in their IEP.

Teachers need more time just imagine your work schedule like theirs stuff will never get done,even when you stay later

Not having the time really creates havoc for changing the rooms, having the prep time to make copies, and no time to grade anything. It perpetuates being a substitute in my own classroom and giving the students busy work while I'm trying to complete grades, clear a room, and prepare for the next semester.

Pro to half day- Students are allowed time to decompress after a lengthy exam. They cannot give their full effort to any class assignment after giving such a large chunk of themselves to a test. Teacher have absolutely zero time go grade, plan, reflect on the exam grade date-- and the list goes on. How much benefit would attending a class have after a student has already completed the final task for it.

I have to create a brand new classroom for ESL students. I cant put my classroom together until the other class takes their finals and moves out. I want to create a safe and welcoming environment for my students - esp high-need ESL students - but it doesn't happen magically. I need time to grade, put a new classroom together, get ready for the new semester, and can't do this without half days. For our students, for your teachers, please give us half days.

We need time to grade and time to prepare for semester 2. How can we be prepared to provide quality lessons when we have no time to plan and prepare?

Yea

It is completely unreasonable to expect us to grade in excess of 90 exams in 24 hours or less. Furthermore, the vast majority of teachers at my school are "floaters" as they do not have only one classroom. During the semester change that requires the breakdown and set up of entirely new classrooms. A process that we are give 48-72 hours to do in the beginning of the school year. How are we to do that, coupled with exam grading and grade entry with simply no time to do so? Its simply unacceptable.

Students need half days for exams. As a teacher how can I grade exams w/o time to grade them.