Tandem teaching employs the best qualities of seven innovative classroom approaches (team teaching, core curriculum, flexible scheduling, elective classes, individualized instruction, peer tutoring, and computer-assisted instruction) to restructure the curriculum, relieve boredom, and maximize class time. Success depends on careful planning and…

Children need privacy for learning autonomy, negotiation of space, creation, observation, and self-evaluation. Children achieve privacy by territoriality, verbal and nonverbal behavior, aggression, and withdrawal. Adults can help children meet privacy needs by providing a manipulable environment and schedule that balance solitude and interaction…

As in Edina, Minnesota, many schools are finding adolescent sleep research persuasive enough to consider later or multiple starting times, risking parents' and teachers' wrath. Time adjustments become entangled with issues such as bus transportation, interscholastic athletics, student jobs, child-care arrangements, and juvenile crime. Tips are…

Brain research explains why testing for surface knowledge (memorization) reveals relatively little about real, usable knowledge. Assessment must contribute to real-world experience, relate to real-world performance, can never be fully translated into representative symbols or numbers, and can induce both helplessness (interference with meaningful…

Describes the metropolitan Nashville Peer Buddy Program, a high school program that attempts to remove scheduling barriers to inclusion by providing daily class times in which participating general-education and special-education students may interact. Seven steps to starting a peer-buddy program are provided. (CR)

Describes varieties of scheduling, inadequacy of the short-period schedule, and the historical background of block scheduling. Discusses effective block scheduling at the middle-grades level and advantages of fan-block schedules. Outlines classroom strategies for use in blocks and a sample learning-cycle lesson for social studies. (SR)

Presents eight real-life examples of schools that use time wisely and efficiently to support faculty development, including early release of students, time banking, extra "specials" periods, paraprofessional support, weekly meetings, early teacher arrival, meeting while students are out doing community service, and blocking before- and…

Describes strategies used by one middle school to successfully challenge gifted students in the context of the regular classroom, satisfy their parents, and preserve the best of the middle school concept for all students. Strategies include block scheduling, regular schoolwide recognition programs, a school climate characterized by academic rigor…

Discusses how to implement block scheduling in secondary schools. Topics include restructuring time; leadership as the key to successful change; the concept of Total Quality; human resources; the necessity of the change process; how to effect change; and the value of school restructuring. (LRW)

A study of 270 sophomores taught in either a block scheduling or traditional scheduling format showed significant results for English and biology. Block schedules significantly predicted pretest to posttest differences in Educational Testing Service subject scores over and above those of students following traditional schedules. (Contains 16…

Presents a multidisciplinary treatment approach for chronic illness. Discusses the impact of chronic illness on family functioning and the inclusion of family treatment strategies for chronic disorders. Presents interaction patterns among the family, mental health professionals, and other health care professionals. Emphasizes hospital mental…

Describes the pitfalls of block scheduling and outlines questions to consider before implementing a block plan. (LMI)

Distressed at student disregard of clearly communicated rules and regulations, a Huntington Beach (California) high school principal realized the delivery system was not personalized enough. Having administrators visit each English class to explain reasons behind the rules improved the situation. Also, a new block schedule improved teacher-student…

Summarizes results of a nationwide survey to determine secondary principals' attitudes toward selected aspects of block scheduling. All 69 participants (from 10 states) expressed full support for block scheduling. Many principals expressed concerns about student maturity, sequential course offerings, and time spent on homework. Schedule…

The efficacy of noncontingent reinforcement with variable-time (VT) schedules was evaluated by comparing the effects of VT and fixed-time (FT) reinforcement schedules with two individuals with moderate to severe mental retardation and severe behavior problems. Both VT and FT schedules were effective in reducing problem behavior. (Contains…