Late Starts For Students Mulled As LCPS Faces New Teacher Training Requirements

ASHBURN, VA — Late starts to some school days may be the solution Loudoun County Public Schools pursues to meet new professional development requirements for teachers.

On Tuesday, the Loudoun County School Board received a proposal for 16 late arrival days for students in the 2024-2025 school year to allow for professional development. The two-hour delay days are proposed to help LCPS meet the Virginia Literacy Act, which include up to 27 hours of required training modules for teachers.

The late start dates are proposed on select Wednesdays — Sept. 11, Sept. 18, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Jan. 8, Jan. 15, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, March 5, March 26, April 9, March 23, May 14 and May 21.

Other coming changes include the second year of the Virginia Language & Literacy Screening System, a new assessment for third grade and new kindergarten to second grade teachers, and new standards for the mathematics and English Standards of Learning standardized tests that teachers must instruct students in. The mathematics standards will apply to SOL assessments in the 2024-2025 school year, while the timeline for the English standards is pending.

"The piece that's on a tighter timeline is that students will also be assessed on these new standards in the same year that they're implemented," said Ashley Ellis, chief academic officer for LCPS. "In the past, we've had an extra year to train our teachers, become familiar with the standards and allow students and teachers to be more comfortable. We don't have that time this year."

Ellis, chief academic officer for LCPS, said the school division is awaiting more guidance from the Virginia Department of Education on timelines and specifics for new requirements. She called it "time consuming but extremely important" to ensure high quality teaching.

"It is imperative that we provide educators with the time they need to prepare to be successful in their roles," added Lisa Boland, chief human resources officer for LCPS. "Our goal is to provide support that enables teachers to fully participate and engage in these professional development requirements."

Other options LCPS considered for meeting additional professional development requirements for teachers are early release days for students, extra contractual days for teachers and using three unassigned workdays already in teachers' contracts.

Currently, teachers and other educational staff have three days for LCPS-wide professional learning each year. Teachers have given feedback that it isn't enough time for training.

Some School Board members expressed support for additional professional development time for teachers.

"I appreciate your taking a look at the training that's required by our teachers and sorting them into buckets and I look forward to hearing more about that," said Algonkian District representative April Chandler. "I think that's definitely a great way to alleviate some of the pressure, especially in this difficult year that we're facing next year."

Leesburg District representative Lauren Shernoff, who has worked as a teacher, wants the community to know the additional professional development requirements are a "heavy lift." But she says professional development focused on core instruction will benefit all students.

"I don't think it's a surprise, you know, secret that teacher morale is low and there's just a lot on their plates and [Virginia Department of Education] is adding more, so we have to do something," said Shernoff. "I also have been sort of sometimes critical of loss of instructional time through our calendar. I've spoken to that. So I know that there's loss of instructional time. But on this one, I feel like we got to support this for our teachers right now."

Catoctin District representative Kari LaBell, who also worked as a teacher, asked about incentives for teachers who complete professional development modules. Ellis said there are professional learning exchange days that can take away a work day during the school year, but LCPS doesn't expect the state to provide new professional development modules until September.

Ellis expects there to be questions from the community about the late start proposal. She said the school nutrition team is able to provide grab-and-go breakfasts, and transportation staff can adjust to late start changes.

"We anticipate that morning child care or supervision of students on the adjusted arrival days will be a topic of concern for families," said Ellis. "The team will continue to develop plans to address these anticipated challenges."

"I think the success here will be getting the families really on board and the communication and really understanding how we can support them through this, because I know it is all our first priority," added Vice Chair Arben Istrefi of the Sterling District. "It's impossible to put this on the backs of our teachers, we know this, but I think we have to acknowledge also that this is going to be really difficult when it comes to the families as well."

The Loudoun County School Board has the calendar changes on its agenda for consideration on May 28. The community can provide feedback through an online form.