Scheduling Help for Scheduling Help for Career Academies and Career Academies and

SLCsSLCs

The Agenda

1. Introduction

2. Workshop Goals

3. Scheduling Guide

4. Group Activity

5. Software Options and Features

6. Resources

7. Question & Answer

Workshop Goals

To make you aware of the scheduling process, related difficulties, how SLCs/ Academies complicate this process, and what can be done about it

To critique your own school’s processes, looking at challenges as well as best practices

The Scheduling Guide

Chapters– I. Why– II. Who– III. What and When– IV. Potential Conflicts– V. Related Software

Appendices– Alternative Bell Schedules– Software Matrix– Glossary– Bibliography

Why Scheduling Is So Important

Fundamental need of SLC/ Academy Most frequent problem/ complaint If done wrong, causes teacher frustration Not to mention students and parents It is hard to do well -- very complicated Bottom line: It is possible

Who Should Be Involved

Traditional Method: – A single administrator or counselor, often working

behind a closed (and occasionally locked) door– Students and teachers receive their schedule

during the summer or right before school starts

Recommended Method:– Master Schedule Team– Multiple stakeholders are involved in all aspects

of creating the master schedule

Master Schedule Team

Open system with a team environment to build capacity and collaboration

Counselors, teachers, administrators, classified staff, even students

At least two people with computer/database expertise, or ability to learn how to manipulate programs

District Role

Districts should support schools by providing staffing information/ teacher allotments earlier rather than later in the Master Schedule Development Process– (by the fifth or six month of a traditional school

year)

The 5 Stages in the Master Scheduling Process

Planning Student course selection Master schedule construction Analysis, adjustment, and distribution of

schedules Fine tuning and re-adjustment

Stages 1 & 2(Aug-Dec & Jan-Mar)

Planning & Preliminary/Initial Tasks (1-5)– Assemble and develop scheduling team– Team involves stakeholders– Team develops materials and calendar for creating

the master schedule

Student Course Selection/Course Tallies (6-8)– Students and families informed of course selection– Students register for next year’s courses– Team evaluates course tallies, negotiates with

administration and the district

Stage 3(March-May)

Master Schedule Construction (8-10)– Team establishes rules for course scheduling and

analyzes constraints and SLC/Academy needs– Computer runs begin, with final adjustments

made by hand– Team invites stakeholders to view master

schedule

Stages 4 & 5(May-July & Aug-Sept)

Analysis, Adjustment & Distribution of Schedules (10-12)– Master schedule is analyzed by team and

stakeholders– SLC/Academy teachers analyze individual student

schedules– Class schedules passed out and adjustments made by

hand as needed

Fine Tuning & Readjustment (13-14)– Team and stakeholders analyze process– Team reformed and process begins again

Constraints and Conflicts

“Outside” requirements Staffing allocations Collective bargaining

agreements Credit requirements Space constraints Time constraints

Singletons/doubletons Special

populations/programs Teacher preferences/needs Software capabilities Making deadlines SLC & Academy Needs!

SLC & Academy Needs

Shared Leadership Linked Classes Common Teacher Prep Time Balancing Across SLCs Looping Advisories

Put This to Use!

With two to three people next to you, discuss the following questions:– What are the two biggest issues, challenges, or

constraints you face in developing the master schedule?

– What are two best practices you have for addressing either your own or your group members’ challenges?

On the poster paper: List most commonly shared challenges and 1-2 best practices

Software Research

Links ClassesGroups StudentsAllows for Block

Scheduling

Schedules Multiples Academies/SLCs

Provides Common Planning Time

How to Get the Guide

Written Guide:– http://casn.berkeley.edu (Resources Tab)– www.naf.org (Members only)

PowerPoint and Handouts– http://casn.berkeley.edu

Tutorials– http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sslc/tutorials/

IT’S (almost) ALL FREE!

Staying in Touch

Charlie Dayton charlesdayton@earthlink.net

Susan Tidyman tidyman@pipeline.com

Tracy Hanna thanna@berkeley.edu