For this study, we examined the constructs of time, student groupings, and professional staffing in schools and determined their significance in whether or not schools made Adequate Yearly Progress or were required mandatory improvement. We conducted a logistical regression analysis using a national data set, the School and Staffing Survey…

A study of instructional planning periods was undertaken in late 2013 pursuant to West Virginia State Code §18A-4-14 which states: "The state board shall conduct a study on planning periods. The study shall include, but not be limited to, the appropriate length for planning periods at the various grade levels and for the different types of…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among bell schedules, GEE 21 science scores, and cumulative GPAs. Factors under consideration included teacher perspective, gender, ethnicity and students' at-risk status. The researcher collected data from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) targeting seven schools for three…

Describes positive and negative school district experiences with block scheduling. (PKP)

Documents Virginia's history of adoption and implementation of block scheduling, highlights common forms of block scheduling, and describes mistakes that caused schools to abandon block scheduling. Describes three key variables (time, teachers, and students) in the use of block scheduling to improve student achievement. (PKP)

Interviews with inner-city adolescents about school-reform efforts and the qualities of a good teacher. Students identify six qualities of good teachers: Push students, maintain order, willing to help, explain until everyone understands, vary classroom activities, and try to understand students. (PKP)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to record and summarize the tensions and problems experienced by a high school administrative team as they attempted to change supervision alongside instruction in a transition to a new block schedule. Design/methodology/approach: A case study method was used. As a case study, the research is contextual in…

Block scheduling encourages increased comprehensive immersion into subject matter, improved teacher-student relationships, and decreased disciplinary problems. While block scheduling may offer many advantages, moving to a block schedule from conventional scheduling can be a major adjustment for both students and teachers. This guide is intended to…

This paper discusses why scheduling is a valuable but untapped resource for school improvement. It reviews some of the problems that are alleviated through scheduling, focusing on the benefits of block scheduling. The text discusses the fragmentation of instructional time and how this is an issue at all levels of precollegiate education. It offers…

This booklet examines issues related to time in education. After describing the increasing number of roles teachers play in their schools and their lack of time to do everything, the booklet explains that in order to achieve improved student outcomes, teachers need time to do their work. Teaching requires time for professional development,…

Describes the ways in which block scheduling can decrease school-day interruptions, reduce discipline problems, and help students who need more time and a slower pace. Also describes block schedules' effects on students and teachers. Sidebars offer guidelines for block scheduling and selected references. (LMI)

Library media specialists can show the effectiveness of the library media center in support of block scheduling through action research. This article discusses how to add to the evidence on the effects of changes because of block scheduling through testing the effects of block scheduling on use of the library media center. (Author/LRW)

In this article, the authors discuss the advantages of block scheduling and how it can be an effective educational tool when faced with educational challenges. Block schedules can ease the transition from the homelike atmosphere of the elementary school to the departmentalized environment of the high school by reducing the need for constant class…

Presents eight real-life examples of schools that use time wisely and efficiently to support faculty development, including early release of students, time banking, extra "specials" periods, paraprofessional support, weekly meetings, early teacher arrival, meeting while students are out doing community service, and blocking before- and…

Describes the pitfalls of block scheduling and outlines questions to consider before implementing a block plan. (LMI)