This study compared the academic performance of seventh-grade students on a state-mandated social studies accountability test by the instructional time configuration used and explored the relationship among the variables of gender, race and poverty on this performance. Results of 24,919 seventh-grade student social studies test scores from 117…

Full-time virtual schools problematize what it means to 'attend' school. Is it the length of time a child is logged on to the school's software system (regardless of the amount of work done), or the amount of work submitted (regardless of the log-on time)? How should one figure the amount of work teachers are doing when students work by themselves…

This study examines how industry and occupation sex segregation are related to the use of flexible scheduling policies and perceptions of the career repercussions of using such policies. The analysis is performed on data from the 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce (N = 2,810). Findings suggest that the percentage of women per industry…

The Colorado College plan divides the academic year into blocks of three and one-half weeks each, separated by breaks of four and one-half days. The results of this schedule are closer contact with students and faculty and more intense study. (Author/PG)

Flexible modular scheduling is discussed as a means for achieving individualized instruction in the classroom. Scheduling, in general, is presented as a compromise among four elements: a) individualizing the educational program for each student, b) utilizing available facilities, c) utilizing available staff, and d) capitalizing on staff…

Suggests reforms for academic scheduling that would allow persons to earn baccalaureates in a shorter period of time than the traditional 4 years. (HS)

Explains why block scheduling has become accepted practice at the secondary level and describes potential benefits for middle level schools. Shares common scheduling approaches and discusses their appropriateness for use at the middle level. Presents alternative models that would permit middle school faculties to capitalize on the benefits of…

Experienced as a practitioner and as a student in building master schedules for both junior and senior high schools, the author recommends a procedure that puts the human element back into scheduling students and teachers into the right classes. (Editor)

Modular scheduling benefits only a minority of students. A client-centered approach to individualization seems to be a promising area. (Author/RA)

As an alternative to basing course length on a quarter or semester schedule, course division into modules of smaller duration is defended. (JO)

In this paper, a heuristic algorithm for constructing school timetables is described. The algorithm is based on an exact method that applies to a family of particular timetable problems. The procedure has been used to construct timetables for Swiss schools having about 50 classes, 80 teachers, and 35 weekly periods. Less than five percent of…

Variable Modular Scheduling Via Computer, a scheduling program which focuses on allocating a school's resources according to the school's overall purposes, is designed to allow schools to adapt organizational patterns to whatever teaching and learning patterns they define as necessary in meeting their educational goals. The system's rationale,…

Implementation of an experimental flexible scheduling program was basis for a naturally occurring field experiment. Results of a six-year assessment indicate significant reductions in employee absenteeism in a large subunit of a public utility company after the flexible scheduling intervention for the experimental group. No such changes were…