THE PROJECT WAS INITIATED TO DEVELOP, BY COMPUTER, A MASTER SCHEDULE FOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES IN ORDER TO FREE ADMINISTRATORS FROM THE DETAILS OF THIS BURDENSOME TASK. THE RESEARCH WAS SEPARATED FROM PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL SCHEDULING SYSTEMS AND THE GENERATION OF A MASTER SCHEDULE BY COMPUTER WAS EMPHASIZED. THE GENERATED…

"BLOCK SCHEDULING," DEFINED AS PLACING A GROUP OF STUDENTS IN A COMMON BLOCK OF BASIC COURSES TO SHARE THE SAME DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE, PERMITS INSTRUCTORS TO MEET A MORE COHENSIVE GROUP. IT ALSO SIMPLIFIES REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULING, AS STUDENTS ACCEPT A PREPARED GROUP OF COURSES INSTEAD OF INDIVIDUALLY SELECTED ONES. FOR THE STUDENT, IT MEANS…

Thorough investigation of scheduling options is needed to facilitate the development of a tailor-made schedule for the small school. The traditional scheduling model usually only works well in urban or suburban schools. When this mass production model is imposed on small schools, student needs become secondary to the dictates of the schedule. The…

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…

Block Scheduling has been considered a cure for a lengthy list of educational problems. This report reviews the literature on block schedules and describes some Oregon high schools that have integrated block scheduling. Major disadvantages included resistance to change and requirements that teachers change their teaching strategies. There is…

This research proposal is designed for the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public School System with the aim of documenting and analyzing changes that occur when 14 of the 22 high schools in the system switch from a six- to a seven-period schedule. The seven-period time table is being adopted in order to (1) allow students taking full academic loads…

A study was conducted at Mississippi State University to assess differences in the academic achievement of two matched groups of two-year college transfer students. One group (N=30) had attended a junior college which followed a traditional semester time table of 15 to 18 weeks, while the other group (N=30) had attended a junior college with a…

Twenty-seven second-grade students were observed during two reading periods to examine the nature of instruction and academic responding time for students in high, middle, and low reading groups. Across all groups, it was found that students spent about 20 minutes of a 120-minute typical reading period actively engaged in academic responding, and…

This report gives an overview of the organization, scope, and content of the physical education and games program provided for children and youth in the primary, intermediate, and secondary schools of 48 countries. The report is a synthesis of information received in response to questionnaires sent to key individuals in each country. Information…

Secondary school administrators must carefully consider the ramifications of a proposed alternative scheduling plan before proceeding with implementation. The first article in this newsletter presents findings from a study that compared data from two groups of schools (one group with a 4 X 4 block plan and the other with a trimester plan) to data…

Presents two basic parallel block elementary school schedules (schedules in which a block of time is scheduled for essential and/or desired small skill groups parallel to large instructional activities). Contends that parallel block scheduling in elementary schools can lead to improved instructional programs for low achievers. (GC)

This study tests the general hypothesis that there is no single best way to organize a middle school to meet the variety of needs of early adolescent students. Using data from a sample of 433 schools in the Pennsylvania Educational Quality Assessment, it examines the effects of self-contained classroom instruction and departmentalization on two…

This paper discusses the challenges and difficulties of adopting new "authentic" methods of instruction that help students not only learn but also develop habits that enable them to use their knowledge more effectively. "Authentic" methods of instruction are defined as those that require students to produce (not just reproduce) knowledge relevant…

This chapter of "Helping Teachers Manage Classrooms" examines the various management techniques required by the different kinds of student groupings associated with different types of classroom activities. These activities are identified in terms of their action structures (specifying who shall do what, when, and to or with whom), their physical…

This student interest survey was conducted in Spring 2003 by Glendale Community College North (GCCN), Arizona. The purpose of the survey was to determine student preference for courses, course times and frequencies, and for other college student services they might need and want. In addition, an attempt was made to uncover any enrollment obstacles…