school time task force survey — comparison report

© 2014 K12 Insight

Parents, Students and Staff

School Time Task Force Survey — Comparison Report

Charlotte Mecklenburg SchoolsApril 3 – 25, 2014

© 2014 K12 Insight 2

Overview

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools established the School Time Task Force to study current bell schedules and to make recommendations to help inform district leadership about potential changes in bell schedules.

In order to gather as much feedback as possible, the task force designed three School Time Task Force Surveys, which examines various daily start and end times. Survey questions focused on a variety of issues, including how school bell schedules might impact student learning, physical well-being, extracurricular activities and family schedules. Parents, staff members and students were asked to participate. This report provides a comparison of survey results from participating parents, students and staff members.

The surveys were open April 3 - 25, 2014.


Technical Notes

Survey Development• In order to increase content validity, survey questions were jointly developed in collaboration with the

School Time Task Force.• Most questions were voluntary; however, individual parents were required to identify how many children

they had enrolled in CMS Public Schools, the school level of each of their children, the name of their children's schools, and whether or not their children use CMS Public Schools’ transportation services to or from school. The required information was necessary for data analysis.

• Most items used 5-point Likert scales (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree, No Opinion)

Survey Deployment• Pre-survey communications included a press release and a letter to parents announcing the survey.• The parent survey was administered via a public URL, email invitations with unique links and on paper. • The parent survey was offered in English and Spanish.• Staff members were sent a unique URL survey invitation.• Students used their student ID to access the online survey.

Data Analysis and Reporting • The findings for each question in the report exclude participants who did not answer the item.• Results do not reflect random sampling; therefore, they should not be generalized to the entire CMS parent

population. Rather, results reflect the perceptions and opinions of just those parents, students and staff members who responded to the survey.


ParticipationMore than 11,000 parents, 5,000 staff members and 2,000 students participated in the CMS School Time Task Force Survey.

Note: *The sum of percentages may exceed 100% because participants could select more than one response option.

Responding Group

EmailInvitations Delivered

EmailResponses

Public URL Responses

Paper Survey Responses

Total Responses

Parents* 45,154 8,364 2,787 82 11,233

Staff 10,326 5,309 NA NA 5,309

All Respondent Groups

Responding GroupUnique URL

Online Surveys Created

Unique URL Responses

Paper SurveyResponses Total Responses

Students 72,717 2,086 134 2,220


Participation By School Level

Elementary School (N=7,006)

Middle School (N=4,304)

High School (N=3,976)

62%

38%

35%

Parents*

Note: *The sum of percentages may exceed 100% because participants could select more than one response option.

All Respondents


High School (N=595)

73%

27%

Students




57%

20%

23%

Staff


Current CMS Bell Schedules

CMS is open to exploring changes to bell schedules. One option is to "flip" schedules, so that elementary students will take on the high school schedule and high school students will take on the elementary school schedule. Below is a list of the current CMS schedules:

7:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. (High School)7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. (Elementary School)8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. (Elementary and Middle School)8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. (Elementary and Middle School)9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Middle School)9:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. (Elementary, Middle and 6-12 School)

All Parents


CMS Bell Schedule OptionsPlease indicate how strongly you disagree or agree with the following statements. [Strongly Agree and Agree] CMS should . . .

All Respondents

26%

34%

47%

28%

53%

33%

Students

Replace the elementary school schedule with the high school

schedule.

Replace the high school schedule with the middle

school schedule.

Replace the middle school schedule with the elementary

school schedule.

Start and end the elementary school schedule 15 minutes

earlier.

Start and end the middle school schedule 15 minutes earlier.

Start and end the high school schedule 15 minutes earlier.

29%

28%

34%

37%

47%

14%

Parents

42%

32%

30%

52%

45%

20%

Staff Members


Current Bell Schedule SentimentPlease select the statement that best describes how you feel about the current bell schedule (start/end time) at your [elementary, middle or high] school.

All Parents

61%12%

27%

Elementary School

It works for our family. (N=4,178)

It is too early. We would prefer a later start/end time. (N=824)

It is too late. We would prefer an earlier start/end time. (N=1,854)

42%

55%

Middle School

It works for our family. (N=1,791)

It is too early. We would prefer a later start/end time. (N=132)

It is too late. We would prefer an earlier start/end time. (N=2,348)

44%

54%

High School

It works for our family. (N=1,734)It is too early. We would prefer a later start/end time. (N=2,141)It is too late. We would prefer an earlier start/end time. (N=54)


Current Bell Schedule SentimentPlease select the statement that best describes how you feel about the current bell schedule (start/end time) at your [middle or high] school. (N=2,165)

All Students

34%

19%

47%

Middle and High School

It works for me and my family. (N=744)It is too early. I would prefer a later start/end time. (N=408)It is too late. I would prefer an earlier start/end time. (N=1,013)

© 2014 K12 Insight 10

46%

12%

42%


49%47%


It works for students at this school.

It is too early. A later start/end time is more appropriate for students at this school.

It is too late. An earlier start/end time is more appropriate for students at this school.

Current Bell Schedule Sentiment

45%

18%

37%

Overall (N=5,276)

38%

59%


All Staff

© 2014 K12 Insight 11

Preferred Tiered Bell ScheduleFrom the list of current CMS tiered bell schedules, which do you prefer?

All Parents

30%

40%

18%

7%5%

Elementary School

7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. (N=2,065)8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (N=2,788)8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. (N=1,208)9:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (N=486)Other (N=340)

60%

22%6%

7%

4%

Middle School

8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (N=2,564)8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. (N=946)9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (N=256)9:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (N=306)Other (N=190)

32%

44%

8%4%

3%8%

High School

7:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. (N=1,268)8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (N=1,730)8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. (N=324)9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (N=159)9:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (N=132)Other (N=300)

© 2014 K12 Insight 12

Secondary Bell Schedule Preference

The majority of participating middle school (67%) and high school students (64%) indicated they prefer the two early bell schedules.

From the list of secondary bell schedules below, which do you prefer? (N=2,191)

40%

27%

10%

4%

6%

12%


7:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.9:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Other

36%

28%

8%

4%2%

21%

High School (N=584)

7:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.9:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Other

All Students

© 2014 K12 Insight 13

Preferred Tiered Bell ScheduleFrom the list of current CMS tiered bell schedules, which do you prefer?

All Staff

51%

34%

7%

7%

Elementary School Staff

7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. (N=1,525)8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (N=1,007)8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. (N=202)9:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (N=48)Other (N=199)

71%

14%

6%

Middle School Staff

8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (N=763)8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. (N=156)9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (N=31)9:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (N=59)Other (N=70)

© 2014 K12 Insight

Family Needs

© 2014 K12 Insight 15

Time for After-School ActivitiesHow strongly do you disagree or agree with the following statements? [Strongly Agree + Agree]

Parents and Secondary Students

My child has enough time to complete schoolwork.

My child has enough time to participate in ex-tracurricular activities.

My child has enough free time available to spend with our family.

My child has enough time to participate in community activities.

My child has enough time for a part-time job.

69%

65%

58%

53%

39%

Parents

I have enough time to complete homework.

I have enough time to participate in ex-tracurricular activities such as clubs.

I have enough free time to spend with fam-ily.

I have enough time to participate in com-munity activities.

I have enough time to work a part-time job.

55%

49%

43%

39%

28%

Students

© 2014 K12 Insight 16

School Schedule and Effect on FamilyParents and Staff Members

There would be little impact on my family's schedule with a change in the school bell

schedule.

An earlier start time for elementary schools would help improve my child’s academic per-

formance.

A later start time for middle school students would help improve my child’s academic per-

formance.

A later start time for high school students would help improve my child’s academic per-

formance.

An earlier start time for elementary school students would have a negative impact on my

family's after-school care.

An earlier start time for elementary school students would cause them to leave for school

too early.

A late bell schedule and longer school day make it difficult for my child to complete

homework.

A late school end time would cause my child to return home too late.

A late bell schedule would have a negative im-pact on my child’s after-school activities, athlet -

ics and extracurricular activities.

33%

22%

13%

39%

23%

42%

64%

66%

63%

Parents

There would be little impact on my students’ schedule with a change in the school bell

schedule.

An earlier start time would improve student academic performance.

A later start time would improve student academic performance.

An earlier start time would have a negative impact on my students’ after-school care.

An earlier start time would cause students to leave for school too early.

A late bell schedule and longer school day make it difficult for students to complete homework.

A late end time for students would cause them to return home too late.

A late bell and extended day negatively impact after-school activities, athletics and extracur-

ricular activities.

29%

44%

28%

16%

33%

75%

77%

75%

Staff Members

© 2014 K12 Insight 17

School Schedule and Effect on Secondary Students

How strongly do you disagree or agree with the following statements about how school bell schedules might affect students ?

Students

There would be little impact on my schedule with a change in school bell schedule. (N=2,200)

An earlier start time would improve my academic performance. (N=2,206)

A later start time would cut into my after-school and extracurricular activities. (N=2,183)

A later start time would increase my learning. (N=2,187)

A later start time would cause me to return home too late. (N=2,177)

A later bell schedule would have a negative impact on athletic schedules. (N=2,183)

A later start time would allow me to get to school on time. (N=2,175)

I would get more sleep if school started later. (N=2,188)

46%

48%

70%

38%

73%

68%

49%

60%

© 2014 K12 Insight 19

Potential Trade-OffsBased on a preliminary review, the district may need to increase the transportation budget in order to accommodate any bell schedule change. This may require reallocation from and/or cuts to other areas in the budget. Please select potential trade-offs CMS should consider.

Increase class size (N=362)

Reduce school-based instructional staff (N=131)

Reduce non-instructional staff (N=1,288)

Reduce current levels of transportation (N=2,103)

Increase the length of bus rides (N=2,331)

Increase walk zone to bus stops (N=3,493)

Other (N=699)

7%

25%

42%

46%

69%

14%

Staff

Note: The sum of percentages may exceed 100% because participants could select more than one response option.

Parents and Staff

Increase class size (N=909)

Reduce school-based instructional staff

(N=191)

Reduce non-instructional staff (N=3,087)

Reduce current levels of transportation (N=2,980)

Increase the length of bus rides (N=2,709)

Increase walk zone to bus stops (N=5,308)

Other (N=1,816)

9%

31%

30%

27%

54%

18%

Parents

© 2014 K12 Insight 20

Altering the Current Tiered Bus ScheduleEstablishing start and end times for the school day is a complex process that must balance multiple factors that include instructional time, curriculum requirements, transportation and budgetary constraints. In order for CMS to consider any school-day bell schedule adjustment, the current tiered CMS bell schedule and bus routes would need to be evaluated for feasibility.

Tier 1 7:15 - 2:15 Tier 2 7:45 - 2:45Tier 3 8:00 - 3:00

Tier 4 8:15 - 3:15 Tier 5 8:30 - 3:30Tier 6 8:45 - 3:45

Tier 7 9:00 - 4:00 Tier 8 9:15 - 4:15

Based on this information, do you think the district should consider altering the current tiered bell schedule?

46%

27%

27%

Parents

Yes (N=5,054)No (N=2,963)Not Sure (N=2,909)

All Respondents

50%

15%

35%

Staff

Yes (N=2,615)No (N=772)Not Sure (N=1,863)

© 2014 K12 Insight 21

Altering the Current Tiered Bus Schedule — Parents

Yes No Not Sure

Tier 1 (N=3,634) 51% 26% 23%

Tier 2 (N=1,957) 41% 29% 30%

Tier 3 (N=857) 40% 32% 28%

Tier 4 and 5 (N=1,965) 37% 30% 33%

Tier 6 and 7 (N=1,644) 48% 25% 27%

Tier 8 (N=3,913) 58% 19% 23%

© 2014 K12 Insight 22

K12 Insight is a technology-based research and communications firm that helps school district leadership better engage in conversations with parents, teachers, staff, students and the general public on critical district issues.

K12 Insight's approach results in greater transparency and collaborative decision-making.

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school time task force survey — comparison report

Documents

survey questions

parent survey

school bell schedules

comparison of survey

school time task force

unique url survey invitation

staff members

school level5note