This study compares frequencies of instructional practices across differing scheduling plans (Traditional and Block plans), and explores the association between high school scheduling plans and college science preparation, using introductory college science grades as the outcome measure. More than 7000 students enrolled in introductory college…

This paper addresses the concept of blended learning, an approach that has been gaining popularity in recent years with the advancement of computer-mediated training solutions. It begins with an effort to define blended learning and a description of its historical context. A discussion of blended learning as a learner-centric approach follows,…

One of the most critical needs in Florida's "Reading First" schools is to improve the effectiveness of interventions for struggling readers. For example, during the 2005-2006 school year, only 17% of first grade students who began the year at some level of risk for reading difficulties finished the year with grade level skills on the…

This paper investigates the questions and considerations that should be discussed by administrators, faculty, and support staff when designing, developing and offering a hybrid (part online, part face-to-face) degree program. Using two Web questionnaires, data were gathered from nine instructors and approximately 450 students to evaluate student…

Many kinds of educational reform, especially site-based management, have contributed to teacher empowerment. The success of these reforms, however, is contingent upon administrative leadership that is willing to share power. This paper describes the attitudes of teachers toward site-based management (SBM), with a focus on the effects of…

In an effort to inform space allocation decisions, Gainesville College (GC) in Georgia, undertook a project to analyze classroom usage for fall 1995 and make projections to the year 2000 based on annual enrollment increases of 3%. Factors potentially affecting the use of space were determined to include the following: (1) conversion to the…

In the California Community Colleges (CCC), authority is conditionally delegated to local college districts to approve new credit courses, articulate courses with other district colleges, and approve graduation requirements. This document details policies adopted by the CCC's Academic Senate regarding the scope, mechanisms, and conditions of that…

Most college students, whether they have learning disabilities or not, experience numerous difficulties in time management. They become easily distracted, do not set priorities, try to accomplish too much, procrastinate, use poor study techniques, or underestimate the amount of time required for a task. This paper outlines some symptoms and…

This report by Maine's Task Force on Year-Round Education to the State Board of Education explores the feasibility of changing the school calendar--to distribute instructional time over more calendar months in order to enhance student learning. The new schedule could reduce teacher and student absenteeism, limit the loss of learning during summer…

This digest provides a description of block scheduling and discusses specific advantages, concerns, and considerations of block scheduling and foreign language instruction and learning. Block scheduling is a reorganization of school time that comes in many complex variations, including 4x4 (four blocks of 90 minutes each) and A/B (eight blocks…

In order to determine if any innovative changes were occurring in early field experiences and student teaching programs, two surveys were conducted. Directors of field experiences at Ohio four-year colleges and universities were surveyed with 43 out of the 47 Ohio directors responding. Ninety-seven colleges and universities across the United…

This paper was prepared to assist the National Education Commission on Time and Learning. It provides a review of available research on major issues facing the commission and is organized to conform to the commission's legislative mandate as expressed in Public Law 102-62. An overview section reviews the major points discussed in each section of…

Most school practitioners, policymakers, and patrons hold strong opinions on year-round education (YRE). This paper determines which of the various assertions made about YRE are supported by research findings and evaluation studies of YRE. Specifically, the paper summarizes and synthesizes what is currently known about the impact of YRE on…

A modular system for undergraduate programs was implemented in three degree programs at Napier University in Scotland. This paper describes the degree course structure prior to 1992-93 and factors leading to change, including university response to government policy encouraging wider access to higher education. A rationale for modularization is…

This paper addresses the role of college and university class scheduling in meeting the needs of its students. It first discusses the balancing of schedules in order to satisfy not only student needs, but also faculty interests and the administrative concerns relative to facility availability and funding support. Surveys are suggested as a good…