School's shorter day boosts test scores

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) - While spending less time in school may not sound like a good thing, one school system believes dismissing students early one day a week helps.

Early dismissal is becoming a popular trend among school systems. Center Grove Community School Corp. and Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson United School Corp. are both using the strategy. Another is Greenwood Community Schools.

The dismissal bell rings a little earlier Wednesdays at Greenwood Community High School.

The high school has been releasing students a half hour earlier on Wednesdays for the past three years and Assistant Principal Todd Garrison says they've seen success.

“Our test scores have risen to unprecedented heights,” said Garrison.

According to Garrison, early dismissal has played an important role in the school's increased test scores, which is one reason why the program is being implemented across the entire district.

So how does getting out of class early boost test scores? Garrison says that extra 30 minutes allows teachers to meet, discuss lesson plans and share ideas on what works. 

“That's the time period that teachers get together. They have common assessments. They get a chance and look at those results and compare how well their students did,” Garrison said.

And he says the scores don’t lie. He points to the school's first time ever getting a four star rating.