In 2005, The Littleton Public Schools Board of Education began conversations about how to make significant improvements in student learning. 

In January, 2006, the Board asked the District Calendar Committee to study options for early release days to provide time for Professional Learning Communities.

Since that time, information has been shared and feedback has been solicited through:

• Web site information and frequent updates;
• District advisory committee liaison reports;
• Study of as many as 10 different models for providing time for PLCs;
• Board of Education updates and discussions;
• Three parent forums and a staff member forum;
• Two Board workshops and discussions; and
• Meetings with school accountability committees and PTOs at the building level.

At its February 8, 2007 meeting, the LPS Board of Education voted unanimously to approve calendars for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years.  Each calendar provides 10 late-start days, which provide time for instructional staff to participate in Professional Learning Communities.

View the news releaseregarding Board action.

At its October 12, 2006 workshop regarding time, the Board of Education listed a number of values it holds regarding the use of time to improve student achievement:

• Using time differently for more collaboration;
• Support a system-wide model to all treachers at the same level to collaborate; supports technology, etc.
• It is a positive to reduce the number of entire days during the year without instruction;
• There is a student cost when increasing the use of substitute teachers to cover teacher absence for professional development;
• There is a value for embedded time rather than before or after regular school start/finish time;
• Consider additing time to the teacher work day, assuming payment to teachers for that additional time;
• Limit the impact on facily schedules (cost and schedule for families);
• Keep the traditional school year;
• Be accountable for changes in time allocations to support improved achievement