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Part-Time High
School in
Portland:
PPS Fails to Meet
State Standards
165
990
960
946
916
Stand for Children Oregon
Annual Member Summit
February 1, 2011
180
1,080
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How to Cut Students’ Time in
School… and Avoid Detection

Self-Report

“Keep the doors open and the lights on.”

Underfund




Ensure students don’t choose 8 classes…



Staff teachers for 6 out of 8 periods, limit students to 7 classes, save $4M. (2011-12 final budget)
“…staffing capacity to provide all 9th and 10th graders at least 7 classes, and all 11th and 12th graders at least
6 classes, if they choose.” (Initial 2013-14 budget proposal)
“…add 58 more teaching positions to our high schools … to provide students access to at least 7 classes.”
(Final 2013-14 budget)
“I want to take a full schedule of eight classes. I am aware of the extra work load I am taking on and the
need to stay motivated and organized. I am aware of the three week time limit deadline for adding and
dropping classes without penalty at the start of the semester.”
“Does my student have to take 8 classes? No! S/he can … (take) early dismissal or late arrival.”
And continue to issue course credits


Even though NOT A SINGLE PPS HIGH SCHOOL offers 130 class hours per credit
2013-14 district average is 122 hours – at least 2 weeks short of the state minimum
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Where Does This Leave Kids?


Not graduating high school in 4 years (2011-12)
PPS overall: 63%
Oregon overall: 68%
Asian (non-Pac. Isl.): 76%
Asian (non-Pac. Isl.): 81%
Black: 53%
Black: 53%
Hispanic: 54%
Hispanic: 59%
White: 68%
White: 71%
Percentage of Students Signed Up for a Full School Day
Student
Group
2010-11
(7 periods)
2012-13
(8 periods)
2013-14
(8 periods)
Freshmen
75%
32%
48%
Sophomores
72%
18%
37%
Juniors
51%
12%
20%
Seniors
22%
8%
11%
All HS Students
56%
18%
30%
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What IS Part-time High School?

A lost opportunity for students

A failure to meet state minimum standards

Current policy = 872 instructional hours per year (v. 984 required)

Current schedule = 122 class hours per credit (v. 130 required)
Classes
Equivalent Last Day of
School 2013-14
8
6/11/14
7
5/9/14
6
4/8/14
5
3/3/14
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What Can Parents Do?
STOP THE MADNESS!

Count hours yourself

Know what students are entitled to


OAR 581-022-1620 “Required Instructional Time”

OAR 581-022-1131 “Credit Options”
Use school district complaint procedure


Appeal to Oregon Department of Education


OAR 581-022-1941
OAR 581-022-1940
Engage parents, school board and media
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Monday = 8 x 43 minutes = 344 class-minutes
Tues & Wed = 4 x 80 = 320
Thurs & Fri = 4 x 90 = 360
Total for week = 344 + 320 + 320 + 360 + 360 = 1,704
Average / day = 1,704 / 5 = 340.8 class-minutes
Tutorial = 40 mins / week
…but not mandatory,
so it doesn’t count
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Regular Day = 4 * 92 = 368 minutes (from previous slide)
Finals Day 1 & 2 = 270 minutes, a loss of 98 minutes each day.
Finals Day 3 = 180 minutes, a loss of 188 minutes
Finals are twice per year, for a total loss of 2 x (98 + 98 + 188) = 768 minutes
or 12.8 hours