1 / 22

A Block Schedule at PMS: An Update

A Block Schedule at PMS: An Update. Parent Forum December 10, 2012. Jeanne Donovan. Welcome We want to make a great program even better As educators, we always ask, “What can we do better?” How can we do more to meet new 21 st century core standards with the resources we already have?

gaye
Download Presentation

A Block Schedule at PMS: An Update

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. A Block Schedule at PMS: An Update Parent Forum December 10, 2012

  2. Jeanne Donovan • Welcome • We want to make a great program even better • As educators, we always ask, “What can we do better?” • How can we do more to meet new 21st century core standards with the resources we already have? • Would a modified block schedule improve student learning?

  3. Agenda • Introduce committee of staff & parents • Evolution of Thought and Process • Proposed, Trialed Modified Block • Our Findings, Results of Survey • Challenges, Improvements: Why a 3-day Block? • Next Steps • Panel discussion with Q&A

  4. Block Schedule Committee Educators Parents • Jeanne Donovan, Principal • Eric Mapes, Asst. Principal • Hannah Bjork, Spanish • Brad Goodson, Math 6 and 8 • Ted Greenebaum, Science 8 • Jane Hickman, English 8/Journalism • Annie Holland, English 8/History 8 • Joci Kelleher, Core 6/Study Skills • Stella Kennedy, Core 6/Green Team • Kim Lipkin, Art/Leadership • Gina McKuen, Core 7/Shakespeare • Carrie Poole, Special Education • Amy Savage, Special Education • Anne Smith, Film/Animation • Camilla Thayer, Science 6 & 7 • Jon Elliott • Katie Korotzer • Sue Lin • Shirley Rexrode, PMS PC Pres. • Esther Rogers • Lillis Stern • Gautam Wadhwani, PMS PC Tsr. • Former Member: Mary Kelly, Past PMS PC President

  5. Evolution of Thought • Wanted to consider block schedule • Researched options • Conducted a 2-day block trial (90-minute periods) for two weeks this fall • Surveyed stakeholders • Discussed benefits and challenges • Changed proposal to 3-day block to address challenges while maintaining benefits

  6. An Enriching, Collaborative Process • 2010 Staff inquiry began • April 2011 First presentation at Parents’ Club meeting • Oct. 2011 First parent forum • Oct. 2011 Parents joined Block Schedule committee • 2011-2012 Site visits, readings, discussions • April 2012 Second parent forum (included elementary) • Oct. 2012 Two week trial of 2-day modified Block • Oct. 2012 Student, parent and staff surveys • Nov. 2012 Analysis of results which led to proposed 3-day Block • Dec. 2012 Third parent forum (includes elementary)

  7. “Traditional” vs. “Modified Block” Schedule Traditional • 7-period day: each class meets every day Modified Block • Each class meets four times per week • Blocked periods – four or five classes per day

  8. Trialed 2-day Block Schedule • 2 traditional and 3 blocked days • Early dismissal at 2:05 pmeveryweek on Wednesday

  9. Why Change: Improved Learning We expected to find that longer periods: • Allow for better, deeper grasp of concepts  • Create uninterrupted time for research  • Provide opportunities for richer discussions  • Reduce passing time & set-up/clean-up time  • Lend themselves more effectively to multiple activities 

  10. What We Learned • Deeper grasp of concepts • Example: Math (Mr. Goodson) • Uninterrupted research or writing time • Example: Core 6 (Mrs. Kelleher) • Richer discussions and elaborate activities • Example: History 8 (Mrs. Holland) • Reduced transition time = time for debriefing • Example: Science (Mr. Greenebaum) • Multiple activities • Examples: Core 7 (Ms. Brenneman), World Languages (Mrs. Bjork) and P.E. (Mrs. Jarvis)

  11. Survey Results: Faculty Majority of the faculty agreed or strongly agreed that during the block schedule trial: • They could utilize a greater variety of teaching strategies • They could better address the range of learning styles • They had increased individualized student interaction • Pacing was challenging in a 90-minute period

  12. Survey Results: Students 72% of students indicated that blocked periods during the trial increased: • Interaction time with teachers • Ability to learn • Comprehension of lessons • Homework due less frequently, reduced student stress

  13. Survey Results: Parents’ Perspectives About Block Trial • Majority felt somewhat or very positive overall • Majority supported schedule with two or more block days • Over 75% of students spoke with their parents about their experience

  14. Addressing the Challenges Trialed 2-day Block Schedule

  15. Addressing the Challenges

  16. Proposed 3-Day Block Schedule • 2 traditional and 3 blocked days • Early dismissal at 1:48 pmeveryweek on Wednesday (same as elementary schools)

  17. Addressing the Challenges

  18. Looking Ahead • Conduct teacher vote on final proposal: • Principal & Superintendent must approve • Majority of teachers must approve • School Board must approve • Earliest possible implementation 2013-2014 • If approved, staff development and planning time provided between January and June 2013 – curriculum, organizing one lunch, master schedule • If implemented, all stakeholders will be surveyed next year as we continue to evaluate effectiveness

  19. Summary • Result of a broad, judicious inquiry process • Majority of teachers support opportunity for innovation • 72-minute periods preferable to 90 minute periods • Still provide great benefits to student learning • Community input is valued; please contact: • Any parent member on the committee OR • PMS_PC.BlockSchedule@comcast.net

  20. Appendix

  21. Sample Sixth Grade Schedule Comparison

  22. Educational Rationale • Supports interdisciplinary theme development • Provides time for teachers to develop instructional practices that increase differentiation • Provides time for teachers to evaluate assessments • Supports continued development of professional learning communities, which aligns with new teacher evaluation system

More Related