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Alberta school division quashes short learning week idea following survey

Foothills School Division is not planning to further explore a four- or four-and-a-half-day learning week following feedback from the community that showed the majority were not interested.
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Foothills School Division is not planning to further explore a four- or four-and-a-half-day learning week following feedback from the community that showed the majority were not interested.

The Foothills School Division has decided not to pursue a shorter learning week, following a survey of its community. 

According to the division, a short survey was sent to teachers, staff, parents and guardians earlier this month that asked for responses on the move to a four- or four-and-a-half-day learning week. 

FSD said it wanted to gauge interest in the possibility before dedicating time and resources to a feasibility study and proposal. 

There were more than 2,500 responses to each of the questions surrounding a reduction in learning days — 51 per cent of respondents said they were not interested in moving to a four-and-a-half-day learning week while 59 per cent said they were not interested in moving to a four-day week. 

When asked if they were interested in the division exploring alternate activities for possible non-learning days or half days, 61 per cent of respondents said they were interested. 

Based on these results, FSD has said the idea will not be explored any further at this time. 

However, feedback suggests there is a desire to find further efficiencies when it comes to the allocation of professional learning days, which typically fall on Fridays. The division said it is committed to reviewing this suggestion.

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