Evaluation of Friday Schools Impact on

School Improvement

Joshua M. Gibson
DPLA Fellow
Holton Career and Resource Center/Durham
Performance Learning Center
Problem
Logic Model
Strategy 1: Planning Friday School
Strategy 2: Restructuring Schedules
Strategy 3: Implementation of Plan
Data
Results: Attendance Data
Results: Attendance Survey Data
Teacher Responses:

“The same students with attendance issues

continue to have attendance issues”

“Chronic absenteeism still persists and is

made evident in those students who miss
Friday School and then consistently don't
serve ISS because of continual absences.”

“The same several students are still

chronically absent.”
Results: Suspension Data
Suspension Survey Data
Teacher Responses:
“I can give more attention to students and
also have noticed a difference in behavior
issues in some classes.”

“It gave me more flexibility in dealing with

students that have conflicts or behavior
issues”

“Greater ability to interact with each

student more consistently”
Results: Student Motivation and Engagement- Student Responses

“It gives me more time with my child.”

“It helps push me to stay caught up, so I can stay home on

Fridays”

“Friday School motivates me to do all of my assignments

in order to not come to school on Friday. Completing my
assignments to not come to school helps me stay on track
as well as ahead in my classes”

“I know in order to be able to have this privilege I have to

mind my p's and q's to be able participate in no school on
Friday”

“It’s more about passing than learning now.”

Results: Student Motivation and Engagement- Teacher Responses
“I have not observed a link between an
increase in quality and the Friday School
program, just quantity of work submitted.”

“Students don't want to be here on Fridays

so they complete the work faster at times
to stay on pace and as a result the quality
isn't always there.”

“Since classes are smaller and I have more

time with each individual student, the
quality of their work has improved.”
Findings
Recommendations
Recommendations
 Reflections
● I learned that a change of this magnitude should not be
implemented in the middle of the school year.

● We need to continue with the momentum we have gained

this year and continue it into the start of next year.

● Clear expectations, buy-in, and follow-through are a must

for sustained change.
 Reflections
• Major changes made within a school come with an
implementation dip and resistance.

• Perception is everything. Work completion does not

always equate to work quality.

• Friday School is not a magic bullet. However, it has

helped to shift our school in positive way.