Block Schedule

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Moving from a traditional schedule to a four by four block has been a challenge for the current school year. While we did visit and speak with other schools, some classes are overloaded than others. We have a number of teachers on extended day for both semesters. This is the first year in my 8 years, that I feel uneasy with the master schedule. At present, I have one class that I will definitively lose funding. At present, I am currently looking at class manipulation for the spring.

I am finding that this year more than years past, I am constantly monitoring class sizes for both semesters as they are two live documents. Overall, the faculty is loving the block schedule because it lends itself to existing initiatives that the school implemented as well as new initiatives. My school has a growing STEAM Program, Personalized Learning, and is designated a Professional Development School.

Change is an operative word this semester with anticipated results in the area student achievement. Hopefully with extended time and the ability for students to focus on four classes as opposed to seven, they will be able to delve into the rigor of the curriculum and master standards set forth by the Georgia Department of Education.

The master schedule is a working document this school year and next school year my team will be ready considering all outliers that were presented during the summer and at the onset of the school year.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 28, 2015 at 4:55 AM

    I have found block schedule to be the easiest to schedule teachers and students. One way to keep funding for some classes is to work in gifted classes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Phyllis FavorsSeptember 28, 2015 at 7:01 PM

    Ntasha,
    I applaud you for your expertise in scheduling! At the end of the year when our leadership team prepares for the upcoming school year, scheduling is always a complex and tedious task. I am sure as time progresses you will become skilled at creating master schedules for block scheduling as you did with traditional scheduling. This school year our high school moved to block schedule and I have heard more positives than negatives. As teachers are being held more accountable for the performance of their students, they need a schedule that would allow students adequate time for deeply exploring content in cooperative learning team, class projects, performance-based learning, etc. I think block scheduling lends itself to these varied learning activities. It is worth trying! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete

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