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Modified Block Scheduling

Modified Block Scheduling. June 2014 Board of education Report. Overview. Block scheduling normally doubles the length of classes. In a Modified Block, only part of the week is blocked leaving the rest of the days to a traditional schedule.

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Modified Block Scheduling

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  1. Modified Block Scheduling June 2014 Board of education Report

  2. Overview • Block scheduling normally doubles the length of classes. • In a Modified Block, only part of the week is blocked leaving the rest of the days to a traditional schedule. • Complete block schedules are expensive due to increased plan time. Modified Block does not increase plan time or costs. • All secondary buildings piloted this Modified Block in March because teachers requested we investigate implementing it.

  3. Example From Pilot

  4. Rationale • The increased class time allows for greater continuity and less transition on Wednesdays which currently have 30 minute classes. • The longer classes allow for teachers to plan for lessons requiring extended time frames. This is in line with the types of activities encouraged by the new learning standards. • Our curriculum writers want to design tasks that require extended periods of time to complete. This schedule will help make these lessons possible.

  5. Pros • Extended periods allow for longer and more engaging lessons. Labs in science, meals in cooking classes and projects in art are all better in a longer period as well. • Fewer periods in the day means fewer transitions and unstructured time. Class time is always wasted in transition and discipline events normally happen in unstructured times. • It is easier to differentiate lessons when there is more time allotted. • This is a teacher driven initiative.

  6. Cons • Lesson plans will have to be modified to be successful in the longer periods. • PD will have to be provided to train teachers in the new format of teaching. • Teachers will have the same amount of plan time in a week, but they will have one day without a plan time. One day will have a plan time twice as long as normal. • Specific lessons will have to be created for the long periods. • Missing a block day for snow can create planning problems for teachers. • Performance classes prefer to have student every day so they are practicing more regularly. • 25% of teachers are not in favor of moving to Modified Block Scheduling.

  7. Staff Input • 4 of the 5 secondary buildings had strong consensus to move to Modified Block. • 1 school was apprehensive but also feels this is the best direction for the district and supports the change. • We surveyed all secondary teachers. According to the survey: • 74% felt it will benefit their content area. • 74% saw a benefit to fewer transitions • 53% felt they need more PD in Behavior Management • 52% felt they need more PD in writing engaging scenarios

  8. Next Steps • Develop a Block Schedule Advisory Council to direct the efforts of implementing Modified Block for the 2015-2016 school year. • Curriculum writers will work to create one engaging scenario per week for teachers to use on block days. • PD will be developed and delivered during the 2014-2015 school year to train teachers on instructional strategies for teaching in a block schedule.

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