One state curriculum guide too many produced the Principal's Advisory Council on School Improvement (PACSI), a Huntington, New York, principal's "kitchen cabinet" to handle curriculum overflow. In two years, PACSI developed three solutions: grade level objectives and suggested time allocations; monthly curriculum calendars; and…

Principals inevitably influence instruction and learning whether they intend to or not. How principals handle six managerial tasks (scheduling; articulating policies, rules, and norms; hiring personnel; supervising personnel; coordinating pupil services; and managing self-development) determines their effectiveness as managers and instructional…

Discusses the changes in science instruction resulting from one school's move to block scheduling. Longer class periods were found to increase the amount of concepts taught and time for activities. Figures contain a sample student schedule, goals for restructuring, rationale for block scheduling, and a sample density experiment. (LZ)

Biggest obstacle to Eugene, Oregon's plans to integrate middle school curricula is finding time to enable staff to develop a common vision of the future to build upon. Despite adoption of a flexible scheduling pattern, more time is needed for staff development, training, and cooperative instructional unit development. Creating teaching teams to…

Describes how the eight-block scheduling plan at North Kansas City High School has, despite difficulties, worked well for publications classes. (SR)

Standardized bus schedules allow a more efficient use of buses and drivers. Cites experiences of districts using the four-bell schedule where high schools open first, followed by middle schools, and then elementary schools with two opening times. A computer routing system can be used to route buses more efficiently and draw school attendance…

Includes "Block Scheduling" (Brannon); "Block Schedule and Agricultural Education" (Rising); "Block Scheduling: A Student Perspective" (Gilham); "What Goes around Comes around" (Baker); "Accelerated Block Schedule" (Whitson); "Block Scheduling: Students Sound Off"; "Block Scheduling: Maintaining a Complete Agriculture Program" (Agnew, Masters);…

Principals can effectively manage their workday by prioritizing paperwork, creating tickler and flyer files, postponing missed phone calls, stashing supplies, structuring agendas, scheduling meetings, recording phone numbers on calendars, avoiding procrastination, delegating responsibility, deputizing delegates, making a faculty suggestion board,…

A study compared two methods for programming and thinning noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) schedules during the treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) of three adults with mental retardation. Results found that both schedules were effective in initially reducing SIB and in maintaining response suppression as the schedules were thinned.…

To allow variable amounts of time for students to complete Algebra I, a gateway course, schools must address four issues: curriculum, instructional methods, assessment, and scheduling. The Algebra I curriculum should be divided into four parts; assessments should be designed to measure students' mastery of each part. Also, a two-period block of…

Discusses rescheduling and restructuring underway in secondary schools across the United States. Discusses five different approaches to alternative scheduling, focusing on two different types of the block schedule--a four-block or an eight-block style. Focuses on the effect of each on journalism classes. Discusses accommodations that need to be…

Discusses several aspects of the activity/seminar/contact block (often a component of the eight-block school scheduling pattern): its various purposes; how students move about; labs; scheduling activities that involve many students; and which block of the day is best suited for journalism classes. (SR)

Describes the major changes brought about in journalism classes at a Texas high school in its third year of block scheduling. Notes that enrollment has increased and that the publications staff has the time necessary to actually complete assignments during the class period. (SR)

Presents a lesson plan for a block period that involves students in learning how organisms can be classified. (DDR)

Describes a New Mexico high school's method of handling advanced-placement courses in a 2X4 block schedule that raises passing rates, compensates for loss of contact time, and gives most students opportunities to take desired AP courses. AP electives demand prerequisites and are scheduled only during spring semester. (MLH)