Making Public Education Better: The Case for Protecting Teacher Planning Time

Al Felder
Nov 24
2 min read

If you ask teachers what they need most to do their jobs well, their answers won’t surprise anyone who has spent time in a classroom: time to plan, prepare, think, and breathe.

Yet across the country, teacher planning time is being chipped away—or erased entirely—by meetings, duties, paperwork, coverage shortages, and administrative demands. Teachers are being asked to teach meaningful, engaging lessons without the one resource that makes it possible: protected, uninterrupted planning time.

If we want to improve public education, we must protect teacher planning time with the same seriousness we protect instructional minutes for students.

The Reality: Teachers Are Losing the Time They Need Most

Planning time is supposed to be a teacher’s opportunity to:

Prepare high-quality lessons
Review student work
Adjust instruction based on data
Communicate with families
Collaborate with colleagues
Set up hands-on materials
Reflect on student needs

But what happens instead?

In many schools, planning time is consumed by:

Mandatory meetings
Test-prep sessions
Data entry
Student supervision
Covering classes during shortages
Last-minute administrative tasks
Professional development blocks

Teachers are left scrambling—often working early mornings, late evenings, and weekends to keep up.

This isn’t sustainable. It isn’t professional. And it isn’t good for students.

Why Planning Time Is Instructional Time

High-quality teaching does not happen by accident. Behind every engaging lesson is thoughtful planning. Behind every hands-on activity is preparation. Behind every meaningful discussion is an intentional structure.

When teachers lose planning time:

Lessons become rushed or repetitive
Creativity disappears
Differentiation becomes impossible
Feedback becomes shallow
Stress skyrockets
Burnout accelerates

Planning time isn’t a luxury. It’s a cornerstone of effective instruction.

Research Is Clear: Planning Time Improves Student Learning

Studies consistently show that teachers who have adequate planning time:

Deliver more rigorous lessons
Provide stronger feedback
Address student misconceptions more effectively
Create more engaging learning experiences
Maintain better classroom management
Experience lower stress and higher job satisfaction

Protecting planning time is a direct investment in student achievement.

How This Connects

Instruction at the Center: Planning time is the engine behind effective instruction.
Reduce Administrative Burden: Teachers need time to plan lessons, not complete unnecessary paperwork.
Teacher Retention: Protecting planning time is one of the most impactful ways to reduce burnout.
Student-First Decisions: When teachers have time to prepare, students benefit immediately.

What Should Be Done

Legally Protect Planning Time
- States should require a minimum amount of uninterrupted planning time each week.
Prohibit Meetings During Planning Time
- If it’s protected, it must be truly protected—not filled with other responsibilities.
Increase Staff to Reduce Coverage Needs
- Paraprofessionals, subs, and support staff should prevent teachers from losing planning blocks.
Streamline Administrative Tasks
- Eliminate unnecessary reporting and redundant systems.
Educate Families About Planning Time
- Parents should know that teacher planning directly improves student learning.
Create Collaboration Blocks
- Time for grade-level or subject-area planning should be built into weekly schedules.

Closing: Time to Prepare Is Time to Care

Teachers pour their hearts into their work—but they cannot create excellence out of thin air. They need time . They deserve time. And students thrive when teachers have it.

If we want to improve public education, we must stop treating planning time as an optional extra. It is essential. It is professional. It is non-negotiable.

When teachers are given time to prepare, students have the opportunity to succeed.