Scheduling Presentation

1. Scheduling Presentation Highlights from the Fall 2012 BHS Professional Development Academy and Proposed New Schedules for BHS

2. Purpose of our Professional Development Academy 1. To research and discuss scheduling practices among the best high schools in the nation • http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/2012/americas-best-high-schools.html 2. To reflect on how our current schedule is meeting the academic and instructional needs of our students

3. Initial Questions for Small Group Discussion • 1. What are the benefits of the current schedule we have? • 2. What are the challenges or least desirable aspects of this schedule? • 3. Going forward, what are some features we want to consider or include in our daily instructional schedule?

4. We looked at what are other high schools are doing 1.Researched scheduling practices in other high schools and brought ideas and practices from those school to discuss. 2. Discussed the opportunities and challenges of each practice. 3.Discussed instructional value of each practice 4. Identified practices to submit for consideration at BHS

5. What is Flexible Scheduling? • A unique and creative way to increase high school course offerings by creating additional instructional times outside of the traditional high school instructional day. • Can be accomplished through a 0 period (early morning class), a 9th period (afterschool), or Saturday classes.

6. Gives greater opportunities for the following: • Electives • Virtual classes • Creative and Performing Arts • Remediation • Enrichment • Library/research time

7. Hybrid Schedules • A combination of traditional and block schedule • Gives teachers the flexibility to conduct their classes in a time schedule that suits their curriculum • Many high-ranking high schools use some type of hybrid schedule • Hybrid schedules often include designated times for enrichment and remediation

8. Some of the schools we looked at • Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology • Western Abemarle High School • Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School • Glynn County High School • George Mason High School • Ridgewood High School (NJ) • Monta Vista High School • Northside College Prep

9. Some special considerations for BHS • Personal Finance course required for all current 9th and 10th graders – how are we going to fit this into student schedules? • Virtual course required for all current 9th graders • Lunch …2 periods or 3 periods? How long do lunches need to be? Should all students have a lunch? • Use of time before and after school

10. During our sessions…. • We discussed and analyzed different scheduling practices • We looked at survey from faculty, students and parents on scheduling practices

11. What we learned…. • While an 8-period traditional schedule is still preferable to some, many teachers find it limits the opportunities for lengthier activities and labs • 38% of faculty surveyed feel our schedule does not meet the instructional needs of our students • 54% of faculty surveyed believe one 90-minute block period a week for each class would be better accommodate labs and lengthier activities

12. What we learned… • Continuity and consistency are important, therefore courses need to meet all year, and at least 4 days out of five • 57% of teachers think the most effective learning occurs when they see their students in class everyday • 60% think 4 out of 5 days provides enough consistency for adequate learning • We do not want a pure block schedule at BHS

13. What we learned…. • All students need to have a lunch (not in class) • 78% of parents and 75% of students believe it is important for students to have a lunch period • 97% of teachers think it is important for students to have a lunch period • An ideal lunch period is 30 minutes • Students should be able to take 8 classes and have a lunch period

14. What we learned… • Many students need more time in the day for remediation, extra help, and making up tests and quizzes • On an 8-period day, students could opt to take 7 classes and have a structured study hall or remediation period where they work with a teacher

15. What we learned…. • Taking eight classes a year is important to many students at BHS • 69% of students surveyed want the ability to take eight classes a year • 58% of students surveyed want the ability to take eight classes a year AND have a lunch period

16. What we learned…. • While the idea of a 0 or 9th period might benefit some students, it is not an optimal solution for improvement because it can only be offered to students who can provide their own transportation. • 0 and 9th periods would be limited to only certain courses

17. What we learned… • While most students, parents and many faculty expressed a desire for a later start time, it is not possible if we also want 8 periods plus a designated lunch period. • 41% of students, 57% of parents and 66% of faculty agreed that a slightly longer school day (7:30 – 2:35) is acceptable if it accommodates 8 classes with a lunch

18. 8-period Hybrid Block Schedule • (see handout) • Three traditional 8 period days in a week • Two block days (one A, the other B) • All classes meet 4 times during the week (3 times for 45 minutes, once for 95 minutes) • Students can tale eight classes OR take 7 classes and have a study hall • All students have a 25-minute lunch period

19. Other types of schedules we are considering… • 7-period traditional schedule with a 0 period and 8th period afterschool (see handout) • 8-period traditional schedule (see handout)

20. Implementation of a new schedule • Will require a meeting with the Superintendent, Director of Secondary Education and the Supervisor of Transportation to discuss the feasibility and logistics of implementation • At this time we will continue to gather input and feedback from faculty, parents and students