Scheduling: Block or Not?

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Scheduling Block or Not?
Supporting Increased Student Achievement

• Larry Tash
• Office of School Redesign
• March 8, 2006

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Office of School Redesign
Larry Tash 213-241-2598 larry.tash_at_lausd.net
www.lausd.net/slc_schools
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Creating Coherent SLCs
IMPROVED STUDENTACHIEVEMENT
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Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Culturally Relevant Responsive Pedagogy
Focus on Standards (Rigor with High Expectations)
Curriculum, Instruction Assessment
Instructional Intervention
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
School-wide Instructional Practices
Accountability Assessment
District Initiatives (Special Ed., Gate, ELL)
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Personalization
Student Connectedness
Advisory Program And Family Advocacy
Personalization
School to Home Home to School Communication
Structure
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Teacher Collaboration
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment
Teacher Ownership of Student Outcomes
Internships Matching Student Interests
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Structures that SupportInstruction
Personalization
Small Numbers with Contiguous Space
Vertical Organization (Minimize Transition
Points)
Structure
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment
Flexible Scheduling
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Teacher Time for Collaboration Prof.
Development
Personalization
Family Support Community Engagement
School - Outside the Box
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• If Time is the Constant,
• then Learning is the Variable
• or
• If Time is the Variable,
• then Learning is the Constant

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BLOCK SCHEDULES

• Consider the following when implementing a Block
  Schedule
• Operational Requirements
• Instructional Considerations

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Block Schedule Decision Tool

• Goals for the Block Schedule
• Instructional Goals
• Operational Goals
• Type of Block
• Advantages/Disadvantages
• Rules of Engagement

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Block Schedule Preparation

• Operational Considerations
• Did you initiate faculty and community
  discussions acknowledging Form Follows
  Function?
• Does the critical mass support Block Scheduling?
• Have you considered flexible scheduling?
• Have you considered all district and state
  policies?
• Have you built in to your plan an ongoing
  evaluation process?

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Block Schedule Preparation

• Instructional Considerations
• How will block schedule support improved student
  achievement?
• Will the block increase student engagement in
  their learning?
• Will the block allow for greater personalization?
• Will sufficient time for teacher preparation be
  available?
• Have you considered the negative aspects of block
  scheduling?

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Traditional (Six Periods)
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Block Schedule ActivityTRADITIONAL SCHEDULE

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

- Its what were used to - See kids daily
- Difficult to find common conference time
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7-Period Day
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Block Schedule Activity7-PERIOD DAY

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

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8-Period A/B Block
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Block Schedule Activity8-PERIOD A/B BLOCK

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

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4-Period Quarters (4 Periods/Quarter)
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Block Schedule Activity4-PERIOD QUARTER

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

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Alternative Scheduling

• How else can we use time?

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Rules of Engagement

• District Process
• State Regulations
• Physical Education
• LAUSD/UTLA Contract

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SCHOOL IMPACT REPORTBuilding Council Model for
Governance
SLC1
Building Council
SLC4
SLC12
SLC5
SLC3
SLC6
Significant Topics for Building Council

• Dispute Resolution Process
• Space Allocation Process
• School Schedules

• Human Resources Considerations
• Sharing Classes (e.g., AP Classes)
• Student Recruitment and Transfer

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Composition of School Site Council

• Classroom teachers are a majority on the staff
  side
• Parents and community members are elected by
  parents
• Students are selected by the entire student body

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Resource Materials

• Traditional 7-Period Model
• Year Round 7 Period
• 4x4 Block Model

• Block Scheduling An Introduction
• Rethinking Time The Next Frontier of Education
  Reform
• Around the Block The Benefits and Challenges of
  Block Scheduling
• Websites on Block Scheduling

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Summary of Presentation

• Block Schedule
• Know your rules
• State Requirements
• District Requirements
• Existing School Culture
• Be Clear on Your Purpose
• Change classroom Practice
• Improve Teaching and Learning
• Create Personalized Environment
• Have Buy-in from staff and community
• Provide Adequate Preparation
• Process for Block Determination in place
• Professional Development for Teachers

• School Impact Report
• Stare and District Mandates Covered
• School Needs Considered
• Dispute Resolution Clearly Defined
• Leadership Council Meets Weekly
• Everyone knows the Rules Upfront

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End of Presentation