Flex Time was introduced at McNair in the second semester of 2017-18.  It was extremely well-received by students and parents, and used effectively by both staff and students.  As a result, we decided to increase the frequency for the 2018-19 school year.  Implemented in 2017-18 once per week (Tuesdays), we decided to increase to twice per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), for 40 minutes, in between period 1 and 2.  Like last year, we have explained to our students that Flex Time is designed to give them some ownership of their learning, and allows them to seek assistance from teachers in classes they may be struggling with, or use the time to pursue areas of passion and get information, help or extra time to work on projects or go deeper with something they are curious about.

We will continue to expect students to sign in and monitor attendance to ensure the time is being used appropriately.  We will also be monitoring this year our student achievement and stress levels.  Our hope is that student achievement will increase and that homework and feelings of stress will continue to be reduced.  We have already surveyed our staff and students about Flex Time and you can see the questions asked and responses given in the images below.

Flex Time Survey Questions for Students:

1. What is your current Grade?
2. Do you plan for Flex Time more than one day in advance?
3. On a scale of 1 to 10, how productive would you say Flex Time is? (1 being not useful, 10 being very useful)
4. How do you most often use Flex Time?
5. How frequently do you ask a teacher for help during Flex Time?
6. Would you say your achievement (grades, test scores, assignments etc.) have improved because of Flex Time?
7. How much work do you take home compared to last semester?
8. Would you like to see McNair offer Flex Time again next year?
9. Would you like to see McNair increase Flex Time to twice per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for 2018-19?
10. Do you have any comments about how we can make Flex Time more meaningful/impactful?
11. Have you tried to get into a class during Flex Time and found it full?
12. What is the best thing about McNair and why?
13. If you were able to change one thing about McNair, what would it be?
14. The motto of McNair is that we “CARE”.  Do you feel that people care about you?  How do they show you they care?
15. Which subject area do you most frequently access during Flex Time?
16. If you could sign up in advance to see a teacher, would that help you make better use of Flex Time?
17. Do you feel that your stress levels regarding studying, homework and tests have been reduced because of Flex Time?

Flex Time Survey Questions for Staff:

1. What is your teaching area?
2. How many students are appearing in your class during Flex Time (on average)?
3. How do you see students using Flex Time?
4. Do you think we should continue with Flex Time for the remainder of the school year?
5. Do you feel that Flex Time is helping students meet with greater success?
6. Do you feel we should explore increasing Flex Time to two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for 2018-19?
7. Do you feel that Flex Time is helping reduce stress levels for your students?
8. What are your initial impressions of Flex Time?
9. Do you feel benefits for you as a classroom teacher with the addition of Flex Time?  If so, explain what the benefits are.
10. Do you have any suggestions for ways we could improve or change our delivery of Flex Time?
11. Do you have any suggestions for ways we could improve or change our delivery of Flex Time?