Transcript The Block Schedule

The Block Schedule
There is discussion on what the best schedule is for the
High Schools in The Gadsden Independent School
District.
The following pages will present information pertinent
to the discussion.
Issues in considering schedule change at
GHS
Context: Due to the budget issue, GISD is considering viable options to save funds. Changing the High
School schedule has been mentioned as one of those options.
Context: School Improvement literature (NASSP, HSTW, Schlechty) strongly encourage that Stakeholders
be included in decision making process.
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Are we including staff, students, and parents in the decision making process?
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Does each school have the flexibility to tailor instruction to fit school dynamics?
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How are students going to be affected by this change?
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Positive Public Relations is an issue, is this something we want to do at this time?
The Staff at GHS perceive that they have been given little or no input on many issues such as curriculum and
instruction. An argument has also been presented that the 4x4 does not work. We feel that test results are not
reflective of the schedule. There has not been enough time given to accumulate and analyze Data.
Context: At GHS, there have been 4 different types of schedule in 4 years; A new schedule would make 5
types of schedule in 5 years. As you can see, there has been no continuity in the schedule.
05-06 - Traditional 4x4
06-07 - 4x4 with modified “45 min. skinnies” for Freshmen.
07-08 - 4x4 AB schedule for 9-10-11 and 4x4 for Seniors
08-09 – 4x4 with AB for Freshmen.
Comparisons between Block and 7 period day.
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Block
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7 Period
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32 possible credits in 4 years.
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28 possible credits in 4 years
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8 Classes per year - more intense
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7 classes per year
Less Elective options
Assembly line schedule
150-180 students per day
Less time for individual contact.
43% More Homework
No flexibility for failures
6 class transitions (36 min)
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Lower Graduation rates
immersion for instruction.
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Higher G.P.A.
More elective options
College Prep schedule (Encourage a
college going culture because students have
time to take college classes.)
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75-90 students per day
More time for individual contact.
Manageable Homework
Flexibility for failures
3 class transitions (18 min)
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Higher graduation rates
Lower Drop Out Rate
Lower Discipline Rates (Last 3 Years
at GHS)
More requirements from the State
for Graduation.
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More 5th year seniors.
More students to DPA
More Drop Outs
More Suspensions & Discipline.
Comparisons between Block and 7 period day.
 Block
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Career Technical options
 7 period day
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 Room for change
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8 extra classes for careers &
accelerated/articulated
courses. (Dual credit)
Options for HTSW
modifications. I.e. catch up
courses. Double block at risk
students get double the
remediation.
Room for AP courses and
electives
Time for “labs”
One Career Tech Option
 No room for change.
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Less choice
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Time limits for articulated
courses.
No options.
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No room for AP options.
Must Double Block “labs”
 Lose another elective
Comparisons between Block and 7 period day.
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Block
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GHS Facility not amenable to
transitions due to age and size of
campus.
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Largest student population
8 communities (Rural)
1% of students drive
Large ELL population
One set of textbooks for 2 sets of
students per year.
Timely/efficient/ fair use of
activity periods and facilities.
Title IX issues.
Students get home at a
reasonable time.
Activity buses run at 6:15
7 period day
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CHS/STHS Have Newer
facilities.
CHS/STHS have Smaller
student populations
One community
Large ELL population
3 more classes = Need more
textbooks all year.
Because of Compacting of
activities, time, and facilities.
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Students get to school earlier
& home later with more
homework.
Need Am Activity buses,
Need later PM Activity buses.
Comparisons between Block and 7 period day
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Block
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90 minute block during prep for ON
CAMPUS teacher training.
Good teachers pace instruction.
Less experienced/trained teachers don’t use
time effectively.
Instructional Time: 90 min
90 min x 92 days = 8,280 minutes of
instruction.
15 min admin functions per class
x 92 = 1,380 minutes of non-instruction.
(10 at beginning & 5 at end period.)
8,280MI – 1,380NI = 6900 total minutes of instruction.
6900 divided by 92 days = 75 + minutes per day of instruction
7,320 (7 period) - 6,900 = - 420 minutes per year on Block
7 Period
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45 minute prep for training. ?
Good teachers make most of time.
Less effective teachers can hide more
easily.
Instructional Time: 55 min
55 x 183 = 10,065 minutes of instruction.
15 min admin functions x 183 = 2,745 minutes
of non-instruction.
(10 at beginning & 5 at the end.)
10,065MI – 2,745 NI= 7,320total minutes of
instruction.
7,320 divided by 183 days =40 minutes per day of
instruction.
7,320 (7p) – 6,900 (blk) = + 420 minutes per (183 days)
year or
2.2 minutes a day more instruction on 7 period.
Comparisons between Block and 7 period day
 Block
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Testing scores are coming up
at GHS.
Gaps between core subject
and testing windows.
Training is occurring right
now at GHS to imbed
Numeracy and Literacy
across the curriculum to
alleviate the “gap” issue on
testing.
Have time & flexibility for
tutorial courses if needed.
 7 Period
 Research shows no
significant difference.
 In core subject all year.
 Facilitates preparation for
testing because in class all
year.
Comparisons between Block and 7 period day
 Block
 Behavior Modification
Program – MAAP
 Safety and attendance
escorts to class.
 Tutoring and positive credit
recovery per class.
 Possible “school within
school”.
 Flexibility with Sped
issues.
 7 Period
 Due to the compacted class
schedule, Students will
have to stay in the
intervention room all day
and miss vital instruction.
 Cannot continue as
structured due to time
constraints for students
who are escorted to class
for safety and attendance
issues.
 Transitions are major issue
with no SRO on campus.
Conclusion
 GHS is very aware of the financial issues facing the District
and supports prudent measures to alleviate our financial issues.
 GHS would prefer to keep and modify the 4x4 schedule as a
powerful tool to promote student success and further develop
teacher instructional capacity.
Options:
 Modify the Block and maintain consistency for at least 3 years.
 7 period day, change to yet another schedule.
 4 Day work week (4-5 period day)