Education Commons^™

Choral Educators’ Perspectives On Block Scheduling In Middle Schools, Heather Anderson Perryman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to identify how common the practice of block scheduling is currently among American public middle schools. This study also determines the perspectives of choral music educators working in public middle schools with existing block schedules. More extant literature is needed to examine block scheduling practices at the middle school level and the possible effects of block scheduling on middle school choral programs. Such an examination is essential for ascertaining curriculum needs, staffing issues, scheduling challenges, and choral music education advocacy initiatives. A qualitative design and case study approach are utilized to infer connections between …

A Qualitative Study On The Impact Of Block Scheduling In High School On College And Career Readiness, William J. Hender

Theses and Dissertations

Preparing students for the 21st century learning standards has become paramount. Calls for reform in education and an emphasis on college and career readiness in the 21st century have been prescribed as key to providing proper instruction. The implementation of these skills often require changes to the traditional high school schedule. One solution that has regained popularity is the creation of block scheduling. There has been an abundance of research conducted on the advantages and disadvantages of block scheduling, however little research has been conducted as to whether or not alternative scheduling has an effect on students once they attend …

School Schedules And Their Impact On Teacher Job Satisfaction, Heidi Vanweelden

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research project examined how the school schedule impacts teacher job satisfaction at a Christian School in southwest British Columbia, Canada. The participants were a selection of six teachers of various discipline areas and years of experience. The six teachers were interviewed about what aspects of the schedule either positively or negatively impact their job satisfaction. The results of the study indicated four key themes connecting schedules and job satisfaction: school politics, relationships, teacher workload, and teaching style. Within each of these themes, there were aspects that positively impacted teacher job satisfaction and aspects that negatively impacted teacher job …

Effects Of Block Scheduling Vs Traditional Period Scheduling On The Academic Achievement Of Middle School Students, Katelyn Olsen

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The way school is structured plays a major role in the academic achievement of middle school students. Scheduling systems like block scheduling and traditional period scheduling have played major roles on how students throughout the world are making the transition from elementary school to high school. While the academic achievement of middle school students is based on a collection of things, this senior capstone research project will explore how block scheduling vs traditional period scheduling affect the academic achievement of middle school students. The purpose of this project is to see the answer to the best scheduling system for middle …

An Examination Of Middle School Organizational Structures In The United States And Australia, Cheryl Ellerbrock, Katherine Main, Kristina N. Falbe, Dana Pomykal Franz

Cheryl Ellerbrock

The middle school concept, aimed at creating a more developmentally responsive learning environment for young adolescents, gained a stronghold in the later part of the 20th century. Proponents of this concept have argued continually for the holistic implementation of its six key characteristics if its benefits are to be realized. These characteristics include: (a) a challenging, integrative, and exploratory curriculum; (b) varied teaching and learning approaches; (c) assessment and evaluation that promote learning; (d) flexible organizational structures (i.e., including the physical space, scheduling, and grouping of students and teachers); (e) programs and policies that foster health, wellness and safety; and …

Effect Of Block Scheduling On End-Of-Course Test Achievement For High School Students Diagnosed With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Jose Anthony Sanchez

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation

In the United States over the past 25 years there has been a trend education using block scheduling in high schools (Zelkowski, 2010); however, there has been limited research into the impact that school-day schedules have on students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of traditional scheduling versus block scheduling on Algebra I, Geometry, English II, and English III End-of-Course standardized assessment achievement for high school students diagnosed with ADHD. Data were analyzed from different Southeastern Louisiana high school sites. Student Algebra I, Geometry, English II, and English III …

Perceptions Of A Traditional High School Bell Schedule In The 21st Century, Shelley Gates

Dissertations

The daily bell schedule in a comprehensive high school has a significant impact on teaching and learning, school climate, and the well-being of students and staff. An increasing emphasis on the need for students to have strong critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and creativity skills provides an impetus for questioning the length of traditional class periods. This change leadership plan focuses on one school’s effort to examine their current school day schedule to determine what, if any, changes should be made to insure alignment between the daily bell schedule and the school’s mission and goals. Based on the work of …

White Paper: The Effects Of Block Scheduling And Traditional Scheduling On High School Student Achievement, Lesley Mizhquiri

EDUC 17: What Works in Education?

Since the National Education Commission on Time and Learning published Prisoners of Time in 1994, which criticized the use of traditional schedules and asked readers to think differently about class scheduling in schools, the use of block scheduling in high schools has increased. However, there is still a lack of well-implemented and well-designed studies that explore the effects of block scheduling on high school student achievement. The purpose of this white paper is to investigate the effects of block and traditional scheduling on high school student achievement, as measured by grade-point averages and standardized test scores, by analyzing ten research …

An Examination Of Middle School Organizational Structures In The United States And Australia, Cheryl Ellerbrock, Katherine Main, Kristina N. Falbe, Dana Pomykal Franz

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

The middle school concept, aimed at creating a more developmentally responsive learning environment for young adolescents, gained a stronghold in the later part of the 20th century. Proponents of this concept have argued continually for the holistic implementation of its six key characteristics if its benefits are to be realized. These characteristics include: (a) a challenging, integrative, and exploratory curriculum; (b) varied teaching and learning approaches; (c) assessment and evaluation that promote learning; (d) flexible organizational structures (i.e., including the physical space, scheduling, and grouping of students and teachers); (e) programs and policies that foster health, wellness and safety; and …

Comparison Of The Effects Block And Traditional Schedules Have On The Number Of Students Who Are Proficient On The Biology End-Of-Course Test In Forty Public High Schools In The State Of North Carolina, Tonia Bonner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the difference between the number of overall students, African-American students, and students with disabilities on a semester 4 x 4 block schedule who were proficient on the North Carolina Biology End-of-Course Test and the number of the same group of students on a traditional 45-50 minute yearlong schedule who were proficient on the NC Biology End-of-Course Test in the state of North Carolina during the 2009-2010 school year. A causal-comparative design was used and three null hypotheses were tested using chi-square analysis. Archival data was used. The results showed that there was a significant association between the …

An Analysis Of Secondary School Teachers' Perceptions Of Block Scheduling, Vern Mamon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed method study was to examine the perceptions of public secondary school teachers regarding block scheduling and to identify the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using the block schedule in three secondary schools in one suburban school system in Georgia. Perceptions of teachers were obtained from data collected from a 23-item survey and three focus group discussions.

The study concluded that secondary teachers’ perceptions of block scheduling were generally favorable. However, some teachers did firmly support some statements on block scheduling. The study suggested there is not a significant difference in teachers’ perceptions based on grade …

The Quality Of Student Experiences In Traditionally Scheduled Courses Versus Block Scheduled Courses At Pearl River Community College, David Scott Alsobrooks

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if students at Pearl River Community College (PRCC) achieve significantly different self-reported Quality of Effort levels when enrolled in block scheduled programs than students enrolled in traditionally scheduled programs. This study focuses on Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at PRCC in the spring of 2009. The Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire was completed by 294 (192 traditional and 97 block) students of the 672 (514 traditional and 143 block) total students enrolled in CTE programs during the term. No significant differences were found in the students’ self-reported Quality of Effort levels …

Block Scheduling Effectiveness: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study Of One Georgia School System’S Test Score Indicators, Ellen H. Reames, Carol Bradshaw

Georgia Educational Researcher

A case study of the effectiveness of high school block scheduling in an urban school system was examined by considering whether the changed schedule resulted in an increase in test scores on several measures such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Advanced Placement Tests (AP), and state mandated graduation examinations. Ten years of data were gathered from the public report card on the state website. In the school system under investigation, student scores on quantitative and verbal Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) showed a significant upward trend over 10 years. Over the same 10 years, Advanced Placement Test (AP) passing rates …

The Effectiveness Of Block Schedule In Middle School, Ginger L. Markham

Perspectives In Learning

Block scheduling in one form or another seems to be highly effective when properly used. It invites depth in learning, inquiry based and student based learning, which corresponds with Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). The faculty and staff of Veterans Memorial Middle School are planning to meet the needs of the students by changing their teaching methods to support the GPS and alternating 4X4 block schedule. The author would recommend any middle school use a block schedule of some type in order to meet the needs of their school. Once the teachers buy into the concept, there is no limit to …

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Block Scheduling In Nebraska High Schools, Steven P. Shanahan

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of block scheduling in seven key areas: staff development, curriculum, teaching methods, students class work, student achievement school climate, and satisfaction. The demographic factors considered included responsibility, years of teaching at this school, years in education, highest level of educational degree attained, type of student schedule used prior to block scheduling, the time at which block scheduling was implemented at this school, and size of the school.

Perceptions Of Block Scheduling: An Indepth Study Of Teachers' Perceptions Of Block Scheduling At A District Factor D/E High School In Central New Jersey, John A. Crowe

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Effects Of Block Scheduling And Specific Demographic Factors On Teacher Job Satisfaction Among Small Secondary Schools In Arkansas, Brenda Jared Holder

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of block scheduling, as well as the effects of specific demographic factors, on teacher job satisfaction. All 25 of the 82 size AA schools in Arkansas which use block scheduling were asked to participate, and a systematic sampling of every third traditional schedule AA school yielded 27 schools with which to compare results. Of these 52 schools, teachers in 22 block scheduled schools and teachers in 18 traditional scheduled schools participated, yielding a total field of 601 respondents. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire was administered to teachers at each participating secondary …

Block Scheduling: A Comparative Study Of Learning Activities And Strategies In Selected New Jersey Public High Schools, David Clauser

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Block Scheduling: A Comparison Of Block Scheduling And Traditional Scheduling And Its Relationship To Student Achievement, Student Satisfaction And Teacher Methodology In A Junior-Senior High School In New Jersey, Thomas Matarazzo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Block Scheduling: The Effects Of Extended Periods Of Class Time On Student And Teacher Perceptions Of The Instructional And Professional Climate Of A Secondary School, Joanne Patrice Kenny

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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High School Block Scheduling As A Stimulus: A Multiple-Site Case Study, William H. Phelps

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the processes that have been used for implementing the alternative scheduling plan of block scheduling in high schools. The study attempted to discover what professional development activities were used for the change, if teachers altered instruction, and what additional staff development was needed. The qualitative method of case study research was selected for the study. The investigator chose five public high schools, representing city and county systems and different professional development budgets and types of instructional support. Central office administrators who were responsible for the implementation of block scheduling, principals, and a …

Block Scheduling: From Possibility To Reality?, Frederic M. Muse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines teacher practices and student learning as perceived by teachers within public high schools that have implemented block scheduling. Comparisons are made between the possibilities advanced by block scheduling advocates and the actual results as interpreted from the data gathered. Comparisons are made between teaching and learning with the traditional schedule and the manner in which it takes place with block scheduling. Open-ended questionnaires were developed for use with voluntary participants who had worked with traditional scheduling and now taught with some form of block scheduling. Participants recorded observations based solely upon personal perceptions of experiences with students …

Teacher's Attitudes Of Block Scheduling And Lesson Preparation Quality/Time In Two Virginia Beach City Public High Schools, Christin G. Browning

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of the study was to compare teacher's lesson preparation time and utilization of alternative teaching methods during block scheduling as compared to the traditional seven-bell schedule at Kempsville and Princess Anne High Schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia

A Study To Evaluate The Effectiveness Of Block Scheduling To Determine What Form Of Block Scheduling Should Be Adopted By Lake Taylor High School, Norfolk, Virginia, Kerry L. Mcdaniel

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. Does a change to block scheduling provide more academic options for students? 2. Does a change to block scheduling provide for greater academic success? 3. Does a change to block scheduling reduce disciplinary and attendance problems? 4. Does a change to block scheduling increase non-lecture teaching strategies?

A Study To Determine The Effectiveness Of A Seven Bell School Day To A Block Schedule School Day Using Grade Point Averages As A Predictor, Traci Allgor

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a seven bell school day in a semester keyboarding class as compared to a block schedule school day semester keyboarding class, using grade point average as a predictor.

Block Scheduling Versus Traditional Scheduling And Its Effects On Student Sat Scores, Amanda Crites

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to determine if there was a difference in SAT scores at Bethel High School since it moved from a traditional schedule to an A/B block schedule. The hypothesis is that there is no correlation.