Curricula at most colleges and universities in the United States are scheduled according to quarters or semesters. While each schedule has several potential advantages over the other, it is unclear what effect each has on student performance. This study compares biology student performance during the two and a half years before and after the 1999…

This study seeks to find if the structure of the demands of the quarter system impacts the levels of depression reported in the school's student body. That is, can the external and systemic stressors at be linked to levels of depressive symptoms? This study proposes that depressive symptoms may be linked to external stresses exerted on the student…

At Coffee High School in Douglas, Georgia, a needs assessment committee recommended the replacement of the traditional nine-month program with a quarter system using longer class sessions and allowing more individual attention. The committee members chose the Better Learning Opportunities for Children (BLOC) Program. Implementation involved…

This study examined the relationship between intensity of study (defined as more hours per week of class within a subject matter area) and student success. The researcher identified two possible methods for increasing the intensity of study: (1) Compression Hypothesis--shortening the length of terms and increasing the amount of time per week spent…

This paper describes a secondary school in Baltimore, Maryland, and presents a chronological account of how the school developed and implemented course registration and grade reporting procedures. The school aims at (1) providing "focused flexibility" to the students, enabling them to select among quarterly offerings of courses; and (2)…

A trend toward adoption of the early-semester calendar, which runs from August to May with exams before Christmas vacation is discussed, along with other changes in college scheduling for curriculum development, increased efficiency, student job scheduling, student retention, and decreased paperwork. (MSE)

The effects of the mandated quarter system and the expanded and revised high school curriculum were assessed in Austin, Texas, based upon achievement test scores, attendance records, and objectively collected opinion data in seven areas of concern. The seven decision questions which affected allocation of funds, personnel, time and material…

A trial program at Montana State University (MSU) was designed to enhance students' chances for academic success by running an experimental seminar for students suspended for the first time. A unique problem exists for MSU students suspended at the end of the spring quarter. Since summer school is not a quarter, those suspended for the first time…

This report is an up-to-date and comprehensive review of the literature and research findings related to the rescheduled school year with the aim of presenting information and research data about the major extended school year designs and the impact of these designs on a school system. The first chapter considers the reasons why extended school…

This evaluation of the quarter system in Austin, Texas, public schools was designed to assess the impact of changes of calendar, curriculum, and other aspects of high school education. The initial first-year evaluation was intended to gather data that could serve as a baseline for examining the long-term effects of these changes. Data were…

THIS REPORT TO THE NEW YORK LEGISLATURE DESCRIBES SEVERAL EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR DESIGNS WHICH HAVE BEEN CREATED TO HELP ATTAIN THE GOALS OF ECONOMY AND INCREASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY--(1) THE CONTINUOUS PROGRESS DESIGN, (2) THE MODIFIED SUMMER SCHOOL, (3) THE TRIMESTER DESIGN, (4) THE QUADRIMESTER DESIGN, (5) THE EXTENDED K TO 12 PLAN, AND (6)…

The author presents a discussion of the current and historical issues surrounding the year-round school movement, the responses of school administrators to the issues, and the data reported by administrators who are currently conducting or have previously conducted extended or year-round school programs. In his discussion, the author deals with…

To provide educators with a compilation of available data on the implementation and operation of year-round programs, this publication incorporates reviews of evaluative studies conducted by six year-round programs: the Prince William County, Virginia, 45-15 Plan; the Valley View, Illinois, School District, 45-15 Plan; the Dade County, Florida,…