An administrative team member/restructuring facilitator analyzes the failure of a block scheduling reform in a small, suburban district. The prevailing dynamics that obstructed success were fear of change, propagandizing of data, and a culture of complacency. These problems could have been avoided by training staff to work in longer periods,…

If administrators fail to seek faculty support for block scheduling, teachers may feel undervalued, angry, and adversarial. When principals allow teacher committees to take leadership roles, teachers can assume ownership of the new model. Adminstrators must establish teacher confidence in transitions, maintain effective communication, monitor…

A study comparing block scheduling in small high schools to a traditional schedule surveyed 62 administrators and 152 teachers of small Missouri high schools. Findings indicate that administrators and teachers are supportive of block scheduling and that block scheduling stimulates changes in teacher methodology, improves school climate, and…

At Mount Royal College (Alberta), the perceptions of enrolled college students are seen as an important part of academic program review, but identification of appropriate scheduling of meetings may be difficult. The solution found was to obtain faculty assistance in selecting students and to schedule focus groups as breakfast meetings, which…

Presents a paradigm for restructuring elementary education administration. Discusses the need for a goal-oriented system, a skills-oriented curriculum, activities and concepts that accommodate child development, flexible scheduling and staffing, and changing learning activities. Suggests that a computerized model of the learning process could be…

Discusses the financial and operational difficulties inherent in community college facilities management. It explains why the primary source of plant operation cost and waste starts with satisfying the scheduling and changing educational needs of its students. Problems in planning and executing major maintenance activities are also addressed. (GR)

A study examined 177 Kentucky secondary agriculture teachers' attitudes toward block scheduling based on teaching experience. Results indicate that less experienced teachers viewed block scheduling more favorably than experienced teachers, and all respondents agreed that block scheduling had a positive impact on teaching strategies and classroom…

Addresses the possible impact of block scheduling on student performance on the advanced placement (AP) examination. Discusses team-teaching AP history and English courses for both junior and senior levels using alternative schedules (alternating weeks for AP English and history throughout the school year). Provides two AP syllabi for history and…

Describes several reasons, based largely on dissatisfaction with New York City bureaucracy, why principal of International High School in Queens decided to accept invitation to become a charter school: Student selection challenges; need for school-based staffing; scheduling, financial, and purchasing rigidities; and state assessment requirements.…

Presents a strategy for using output measures to make a case for a flexible school media center schedule. Highlights include gathering the data; doing the calculations; and avoiding misinterpretation of the figures. A sidebar describes a step-by-step strategy for presenting a convincing case. Two sample charts are included. (AEF)

Focuses on traditional music ensembles (orchestra, bands, and choir) discussing such issues as the affects of block scheduling and how to deal with scheduling issues, the effects of funding on large ensemble programs, nontraditional ensembles in music programs, and trying to teach the National Standards for Music Education within a large ensemble.…

This study examined 28 preservice teachers' interpretations of a 9-hour, field-based reading block. Qualitative analyses of varied data sources, including surveys, journals, and interviews, revealed that during the block experience the students (a) became more prepared and confident to teach children who experience reading difficulties, (b)…

Time management is a skill. Like any new skill, it takes time and commitment to develop. A frequent complaint of center directors is not having enough time. Most work extremely long hours and still feel they are not getting enough done. This article presents ideas on how to manage time and work smarter, not harder. These ideas are the following:…

This guide for testing coordinators includes information regarding: (1) Idaho statewide testing (both state and federal requirements); (2) testing dates; (3) Idaho Reading indicator (IRI); (4) Direct Mathematics Assessment (DMA); (5) Direct Writing Assessment (DEA); (6) Idaho Alternative Assessment (IAA); (7) Idaho Standards Achievement Test…

One Educational Leadership preparation program in a rather unexpected location, the Mississippi Delta region, has received national recognition from the Educational Leadership Constituent Council, been asked to use its program report on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) website as a national example of excellence,…