This paper discusses why scheduling is a valuable but untapped resource for school improvement. It reviews some of the problems that are alleviated through scheduling, focusing on the benefits of block scheduling. The text discusses the fragmentation of instructional time and how this is an issue at all levels of precollegiate education. It offers…

This booklet examines issues related to time in education. After describing the increasing number of roles teachers play in their schools and their lack of time to do everything, the booklet explains that in order to achieve improved student outcomes, teachers need time to do their work. Teaching requires time for professional development,…

Findings are mixed on the effectiveness of various scheduling models. These models include a traditional 7 or 8 period day, a block schedule with four classes meeting one day and another four meeting the next (A/B Block), a block schedule of four classes that meet every day for a term (4x4 Block), and several hybrid models. Some findings conclude…

A western North Carolina study explored how 31 teachers and 35 students viewed implementation of the 4 x 4 block schedule in five high schools. Teachers generally favor the 4-period schedule, but several cited absence problems, less student homework, and "uneven" student schedules. To reap full benefits from block schedules, principals…

A western North Carolina study explored how 31 teachers and 35 students viewed implementation of the 4 x 4 block schedule in five high schools. Students overwhelmingly favored the schedule. Advantages included getting better grades, participating in school-sponsored clubs during the school day, having less homework, and graduating a half-year…

Distressed by their students' reading failure rate, teachers at two Georgia schools developed a parallel block-scheduling plan that allows for whole-class instruction, direct-instruction miniclasses, and enrichment labs for all students. Success depends on matching creative, resourceful teachers to the enrichment lab positions. Over the past two…

Responses from 141 of 222 secondary agriculture teachers in North Carolina revealed generally positive attitudes about block scheduling. It has substantially increased the number of agriculture students but had little impact on instructional quality or supervised agricultural experience and substantial negative impact on Future Farmers of America.…

Reviews research on block scheduling as related to the study of mathematics. Suggests issues for mathematics teachers to consider as they decide whether or how to improve such schedules. Discusses mathematics achievement under a block schedule. Contains 40 references. (ASK)

Surveyed secondary school teachers in schools with block and traditional scheduling regarding their preparation for using various instructional practices, their use of those practices, and the appropriateness of employing them as part of block and traditional scheduling. Overall, few differences were evident in opinions about level of use,…

Research indicates that despite controversies, teachers involved in block scheduling like it. This paper presents two educators' views on and experiences with block scheduling. One suggests that teaching and learning on the block can be more relaxed. The other notes that adopting the philosophy that less is more (fewer classes meeting longer…

Through discussions with faculty and continuing research, staff at a small Indiana high school developed a five-period schedule embedded in a trimester format. This plan enables students to earn 60 or more credits during their high school years, with fewer classes but longer class periods. Trimesters have increased learning opportunities. (MLH)

Offers a brief overview of the process undertaken by one school district in Missouri to explore and then implement a schedule change (in particular a block program)--a process involving parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, and students. (SR)

Discusses five types of flexible block schedules used in a team-taught middle school classroom. Briefly describes the transition from traditional scheduling to block scheduling. (JPB)

Examined qualitative data available on block scheduling and foreign language learning and conducted a study wherein end-of-course tests were administered in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to 60 classes of students in French I. Results are discussed. (Author/VWL)

The student-centered learning practices associated with constructivism could benefit from the increased class time that block scheduling offers. But, in this article, the author observes, too often block scheduling is adopted as an end in itself, not as a tool to facilitate a specific pedagogical approach. The author expands on his observation in…