Download - 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.

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.

Are we including staff, students, and parents in the decision making process? Does each school have the flexibility to tailor instruction to fit school dynamics? How are students going to be affected by this change? 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 andinstruction. 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 4x406-07 - 4x4 with modified “45 min. skinnies” for Freshmen.07-08 - 4x4 AB schedule for 9-10-11 and 4x4 for Seniors08-09 – 4x4 with AB for Freshmen.

Comparisons between Block and 7 period day.

Block 32 possible credits in 4 years. 8 Classes per year - more intense

immersion for instruction. Higher G.P.A. More elective options College Prep schedule (Encourage a

college going culture because students have time to take college classes.)

75-90 students per day More time for individual contact. Manageable Homework Flexibility for failures 3 class transitions (18 min) Higher graduation rates Lower Drop Out Rate Lower Discipline Rates (Last 3 Years

at GHS) More requirements from the State

for Graduation.

7 Period 28 possible credits in 4 years 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) Lower Graduation rates

More 5th year seniors. More students to DPA More Drop Outs More Suspensions & Discipline.


Block Career Technical options

Room for change 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”

7 period day One Career Tech Option

No room for change. Less choice

Time limits for articulated courses.

No options.

No room for AP options. Must Double Block “labs”

Lose another elective


Block GHS Facility not amenable to

transitions due to age and size of campus. 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 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. 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

Block 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 ofinstruction.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 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.


Block 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.


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)