BRANSON, Mo. -- Students in the Branson School District will get out an hour earlier than other days on Fridays this year. The district is giving teachers a time to talk things out with their colleagues at the end of each week.

"To be able to get together and work on instructional strategies, things going on in the classroom that directly impact our students – it’s unmeasurable what the benefits of that can be,” said high school business teacher Jeff Howard.

Howard says, even though some might wonder how kids spending less time in the classroom could be a good thing, he is certain it is.

"The time spent on doing that, coming up with new strategies and new ways to do things in the classroom, will benefit the students that much better when they come back on Monday,” he said.

"We believe wholeheartedly it's the best thing for kids," said Junior High Principal Brad Swofford.

But the early bell on Fridays did come with some difficulties: transportation and supervision issues. The district has worked it out with the buses and offers after-school programs for kids who need to stay here later.

"We do have teaching assistants and para-pros in our building, and substitutes in our building from time to time. We'll utilize their services as well,” said Swofford.

"Some teacher is doing something a little different than you, and you say ‘That helps if I use that strategy. Maybe I can improve my students that much more,” said Howard.

Teachers say they had six open meetings at which parents could voice their opinions about the early releases. Also, there was
a survey on which parents could choose which day would work best. Friday was the day chosen most, and they say there was overwhelming support.

Branson is one of a number of districts to start this type of dismissal for teacher-collaboration time.