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Scheduling: Block or Not?
Larry TashOffice of School RedesignMarch 8, 2006
Supporting Increased Student Achievement
Creating Coherent SLCs
Personalization
Structure
Curriculum,Instruction,& Assessment
IMPROVED STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Personalization
Structure
Culturally Relevant & Responsive
Pedagogy
School-wideInstructional
Practices
District Initiatives (Special Ed.,
Gate, ELL)
Instructional Intervention
Accountability & Assessment
Focus on Standards(Rigor with
High Expectations) Curriculum,Instruction& Assessment
STUDENTACHIEVEMENT
Personalization
Structure
Curriculum,Instruction, & Assessment
Student Connectedness
Teacher Collaboration
Internships Matching
Student Interests
School to Home &Home to SchoolCommunication
Teacher Ownership of Student Outcomes
Advisory ProgramAnd FamilyAdvocacy
Personalization
STUDENTACHIEVEMENT
Structures that SupportInstruction &Personalization
Curriculum,Instruction, & Assessment
Personalization
Small Numbers with Contiguous
Space
Teacher Time for Collaboration &
Prof. Development
School -“Outside the Box”
Flexible Scheduling
Family Support & Community Engagement
Vertical Organization(Minimize
Transition Points)Structure
STUDENTACHIEVEMENT
If Time is the Constant,then Learning is the Variable
or
If Time is the Variable,then Learning is the Constant
BLOCK SCHEDULES
Consider the following when implementing a Block Schedule
Operational Requirements
Instructional Considerations
Block Schedule Decision Tool
Goals for the Block Schedule:
Instructional Goals Operational Goals Type of Block Advantages/Disadvantages Rules of Engagement
Block Schedule Preparation Operational Considerations:
Did you initiate faculty and community discussions acknowledging “Form Follows Function”?
Does the critical mass support Block Scheduling?
Have you considered flexible scheduling? Have you considered all district and
state policies? Have you built in to your plan an ongoing
evaluation process?
Block Schedule Preparation Instructional Considerations:
How will block schedule support improved student achievement?
Will the block increase student engagement in their learning?
Will the block allow for greater personalization?
Will sufficient time for teacher preparation be available?
Have you considered the negative aspects of block scheduling?
Traditional (Six Periods)Traditional Year-Round
Period 1 55 62
Advisory 18 16
Period 2 55 62
Nutrition 20 20
Period 3 55 62
Period 4 55 62
Lunch 30 30
Period 5 55 62
Period 6 55 62
Total Minutes
378 418
Block Schedule Activity:TRADITIONAL SCHEDULE Advantages Disadvantages
- It’s what we’re used to
- See kids daily
- Difficult to find common conference time
7-Period DayTraditional Year-Round
Advisory 21 19
Period 1 46 52
Period 2 46 52
Period 3 46 52
Nutrition 15 15
Period 4 46 52
Period 5 46 52
Lunch 30 30
Period 6 46 52
Period 7 46 52
Total Minutes 378 418
Block Schedule Activity:7-PERIOD DAY Advantages Disadvantages
8-Period A/B BlockTraditional Year-Round
Advisory 19 21
Period 1/5 81 90
Nutrition 15 15
Period 2/6 81 90
Period 3/7 81 90
Lunch 30 30
Period 4/8 81 90
Advisory 10 12
Total Minutes 378 418
Block Schedule Activity:8-PERIOD A/B BLOCK Advantages Disadvantages
4-Period Quarters (4 Periods/Quarter)
Traditional Year-Round
Block A 91 95
Block B (Advisory)
105 118
Lunch 30 30
Block C 91 95
Block D 91 95
Total Minutes 378 418
Block Schedule Activity:4-PERIOD QUARTER Advantages Disadvantages
Alternative Scheduling
How else can we use time?
Rules of Engagement
District Process
State Regulations
Physical Education
LAUSD/UTLA Contract
SCHOOL IMPACT REPORTBuilding Council Model for Governance
BuildingCouncil
SLC1
SLC12
SLC3
SLC4
SLC5
SLC6
Significant Topics for Building Council
•Dispute Resolution Process•Space Allocation Process•School Schedules
•Human Resources Considerations•Sharing Classes (e.g., AP Classes)•Student Recruitment and Transfer
Composition of School Site Council
Classroom teachers are a majority on the staff side
Parents and community members are elected by parents
Students are selected by the entire student body
Resource Materials• Traditional 7-Period
Model
• Year Round 7 Period
• 4x4 Block Model
• Block Scheduling: An Introduction
• Rethinking Time: The Next Frontier of Education Reform
• Around the Block: The Benefits and Challenges of Block Scheduling
• Websites on Block Scheduling
Summary of PresentationBlock Schedule Know your rules
State Requirements District Requirements Existing School Culture
Be Clear on Your Purpose Change classroom Practice Improve Teaching and
Learning Create Personalized
Environment Have Buy-in from staff and
community Provide Adequate
Preparation Process for Block
Determination in place Professional Development
for Teachers
School Impact Report Stare and District
Mandates Covered School Needs Considered Dispute Resolution Clearly
Defined Leadership Council Meets
Weekly Everyone knows the Rules
Upfront
End of Presentation
