At least seven lessons can be drawn from educational history that may prevent repetition of errors in curriculum reform in colleges and secondary schools. (JH)

Discusses a report on facilities in secondary school language departments presented at the Annual Conference on the Joint Council of Language Associations, held in Nottingham, England, on December 28-31, 1971. (DS)

Defines a full-time equivalent faculty member (FTE) as one having seven contact hours of teaching per week. (Editor)

"Blocking" is an alternative model for teacher education in which faculty take existing courses and field experiences, integrate the learning concepts, and through variable time structuring, mode flexibility, synthesis of theory and practice, and experiential instruction present a "block" of consecutive, team-taught courses. (MB)

An evaluation of the 4 X 4 block schedule used in three North Carolina high schools elicited strong support from teachers, students, and parents. Schools planning to implement this model should review D. G. Hackman's guidelines covering faculty input, feedback procedures, training opportunities, teacher fatigue, holidays, classroom monitoring,…

More high schools are experimenting with block schedules to provide longer class periods and decrease faculty workload. Since a Colorado Springs high school adopted the new schedule in 1990, daily attendance, honor roll participation, college enrollments, and earned course credits are all higher. Benefits for schools in Maine, Illinois, Ohio,…

Virginia's high schools are restructuring the state school system. Using the 4 x 4 schedule, four high schools are offering all students up to a year of postsecondary study beyond the full high school program. Postsecondary scholarships will make this world-class education available to all well-disciplined students who attend regularly and learn…

Five years of block scheduling at Roy J. Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has reduced the stress levels for staff and students. Increases have occurred in the average daily attendance rate, in the percentage of students on the honor roll, and in the college-enrollment rate. A sidebar lists 10 suggestions for making the transition…

A New Jersey middle school has balanced its academic and social/emotional development programs by adding Prime Time, a daily time block allowing students a chance to participate in various school and community activities and thereby experience support, success, and recognition. Teachers have time for planning and participating in school-based…

Shows how the philosophies of middle school education and special education overlap and complement one another, focusing on six concepts: learner-centered instruction, bridging or transitioning emphasis, interdisciplinary teams, advisory programs, block scheduling, and exploratory courses. Continued collaboration between special and middle-level…

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

Summarizes research findings and policy implications obtained over a 5-year period from the implementation of an In-Depth Expanded Applications of Science (IDEAS) model with average, above average, and at-risk students in grades 2-5. The IDEAS model replaced the time allocated to traditional reading/language arts instruction with a 2-hour time…

Describes a type of block scheduling for middle schools that combines heterogeneous grouping in all subjects within the block and ability grouping. Presents a method of compiling data for block schedules to assist planning. (JPB)