Cedar Rapids Schools early Friday release is a good compromise

Cedar Rapids parents will need to adapt to a different school schedule next year, but we believe any initial frustration will be overshadowed by results.

Members of the Cedar Rapids school board decided this week that all students will have early dismissal on Friday afternoons to allow teachers 90 additional minutes each week to work together on curriculum and class strategies.

The change provides forward momentum on at least three important fronts: compromise, consistency and collaboration.

First, district officials should be commended for working with parents, who had strong objections to an initial proposal to set aside professional time on Monday mornings. By opening the plan to public comment, parents and the district arrived at a workable compromise.

Second, a districtwide schedule will bring more predictability to the district calendar, which families will surely appreciate. Currently, individual schools determine their own schedules for these departmental strategy sessions. Those schedules can vary from month to month and from building to building, meaning that families might have one child being released early from class while another child remains in school.

Finally, carving out a specific time for teacher collaboration keeps local educators on par with those in other urban districts who are already participating in regularly scheduled training and learning sessions.

Teacher leadership has become a priority of the state, and the means by which educators advance their careers. Improving classroom instruction is a key component to student learning.

The time set aside Friday afternoons for professional learning will not be deducted from the 1,080 hours of student instructional time the state requires.

No single policy could be written that provides for the unique circumstances of every family within the district, but this change will bring some welcome predictability - which will help working parents adjust busy schedules, arrange for child care or after-school activities.

We share the hope of district officials that the community will adjust to the new schedule.

We also hope this change will prompt efforts to provide more Friday afternoon activities for youth, and opportunities for other unique learning experiences.

' Gazette editorials reflect the consensus opinion of The Gazette Editorial Board. Share your comments and ideas with us: (319) 398-8469; editorial@thegazette.com