In this article, the author describes how he had revised his course expectations and English teaching methods in Room 109 at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, with support from the writing center staff. He instituted thematic portfolios, self-selected reading with a wide range of projects in response to that reading, periodic student…

This report examines both the educational and political dimensions of time reform. It presents the findings of a wide range of research on time reform, discusses the impact of various time reforms on the life of schools and beyond, and makes recommendations for policymakers about how to best leverage time in and out of school to improve student…

During the past 4 years block scheduling has been adopted by a majority of the high schools in Middle Tennessee. This paper presents findings of a study that explored the effects of the new schedule. Data were gathered from a questionnaire that was completed by 280 teachers and approximately 2,000 students from 6 high schools in the region. Both…

This booklet provides information about block scheduling--its advantages and drawbacks. Schools can use it as a discussion tool to improve their use of time by reformulating student and teacher schedules. The booklet can help educators choose a block scheduling program that will suit their school. The booklet explains the purpose of block…

This study compared the performance of two groups of preservice teachers at Kentucky's Morehead State University. One group had taken four of their methods courses (reading, language arts, social studies, and mathematics) in an integrated fashion from four faculty members. This group was termed the block group. The other group (the nonblock group)…

An evaluation of the 4 x 4 block schedule in effect at Cleveland High School and East Side High School, both in the Cleveland, Mississippi School District was conducted during the 2001 spring semester at the request of the associate superintendent of the school district. Multiple sources of data were identified, and data were collected during the…

This book investigates time dilemmas in education, explaining how educators deal with time issues. Section 1, "It's About Time," describes what a special committee found out about the time dilemma and makes recommendations for educators regarding time use. Section 2, "Building Time into the School Year" (Linda Bacon), presents one Florida school…

Block scheduling and intensive or extended-time scheduling have been appearing in high schools across the United States. This guidebook is designed to help each school find the best route to achieve this organizational change. The book's premise is that structural change in schools is not sufficient to create meaningful educational improvement.…

This study, administered by students in the department of Instructional Technology at Utah State University (USU), examined the block scheduling program at Millard High School (Delta, Utah). The block scheduling program, begun in the 1998-99 school year, was introduced to allow greater flexibility in scheduling, particularly for released time…

The study reported in this document examined the relationship between block scheduling (class periods longer than 50 minutes) and overall student performance. Performance was measured in terms of dropout rates, grade-level retention rates, campus-level results for the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills, and participation in and performance on…

This report compares student perceptions of the block schedule with those of the traditional seven periods in high school. It describes a public school that voted to implement a modified three-block schedule containing two traditional periods. The participants in the study were 200 high-school students, all of whom were switched from a traditional…

Providing a high quality instructional program where the needs of students are met and preparing them for success in the world beyond the high school are paramount in developing a school's master schedule. Throughout the past, there have periodic movements to extend the school day and year in order to better meet these goals. What research has…

Describes the use of parallel block scheduling (PBS) in inclusive classrooms as a flexible method of scheduling that addresses student grouping; time for teacher planning; and scheduling of subjects, support services, and staff. The characteristics of PBS and an elementary school that uses the system are highlighted. (Author/CR)

Explains why block scheduling has become accepted practice at the secondary level and describes potential benefits for middle level schools. Shares common scheduling approaches and discusses their appropriateness for use at the middle level. Presents alternative models that would permit middle school faculties to capitalize on the benefits of…

A study involving seven special and seven regular educators examined the impact of the implementation of a block schedule on a successful inclusive high school program. Results indicated inclusion and block scheduling were complementary and mutually supportive aspects of school reform in this high school. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)