Optional Flexible Year Program
by Randy Ewing
May 16, 2008
Lytle ISD is looking at using a new strategy available for
improving student success. The idea would reward student success
and provide extra opportunities for learning to those students who
are struggling. Students who are passing all their classes will be
allowed to end their year two weeks early. Students at risk of not
passing and those who failed to meet their goals on TAKS tests
would continue coming to school for the last two weeks and receive
additional help focused on their areas of greatest need.
The program has been put into law by the state. It is called the
Optional Flexible Year Program. The law states, in part:
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §29.0821, a school
district may modify their instructional calendar to provide a
flexible year program to meet the educational needs of its
students, including providing intensive instructional services. A
school district approved by the commissioner of education to
implement an Optional Flexible Year Program (OFYP) may reduce the
number of instructional days for certain students.
District staff heard from a representative from Texarkana ISD who
has been using the program for a couple of years. The Texarkana
principal felt it made a big difference in their student success
rates. In addition to providing classes targeted at struggling
students, the district would offer enrichment classes to those
students who were successful but were not ready to start their
summers early.
The Optional Flexible Year Program offers a Win for all students.
Those who need additional help will be able to receive it. Those
who do not need help will have alternatives available for the last
couple weeks of school. The district’s site-based team could not
find anything that wasn’t good for kids in the implementation of
this program. If it’s good for kids, then it is something we will
seriously consider.
See Optional Flexible Year Calendar (PDF Format) on Button to the right.
