June 13, 2005 Block Scheduling in Baldwin County The Past, Present, and Future Presentation to the Baldwin County Board of Education June 13, 2005 Presented

June 13, 2005June 13, 2005 Block Scheduling in Baldwin CountyBlock Scheduling in Baldwin County

Block Scheduling in Block Scheduling in Baldwin CountyBaldwin CountyThe Past, Present, and FutureThe Past, Present, and Future

Presentation to the Baldwin County Board of Education

June 13, 2005

Presented by the BCPS Block Scheduling Task Force


Block Scheduling Task ForceBlock Scheduling Task ForcePam HensonPam Henson Director of Instructional Support (Science)Director of Instructional Support (Science)

Cale EbertCale Ebert Chair of Task Force, Supervisor (Math)Chair of Task Force, Supervisor (Math)

Chuck AndersonChuck Anderson Supervisor (Physical Education)Supervisor (Physical Education)Julia BryantJulia Bryant NBCT CounselorNBCT CounselorLee ClevelandLee Cleveland DPHS Counselor (English)DPHS Counselor (English) Cathy DannerCathy Danner RBDH Library Media Specialist (Math)RBDH Library Media Specialist (Math)Nancy DanleyNancy Danley Secondary Coordinator (English) Secondary Coordinator (English) Cheryl KnutsenCheryl Knutsen Career Tech SupervisorCareer Tech SupervisorMarty McRaeMarty McRae FHPH Assistant Principal (Math)FHPH Assistant Principal (Math)Jim LuckeyJim Luckey BCHS CounselorBCHS CounselorBeverly SpondikeBeverly Spondike SPHS Assistant Principal (Foreign Language)SPHS Assistant Principal (Foreign Language)Tommy RhodesTommy Rhodes Career Tech CoordinatorCareer Tech CoordinatorEddie TylerEddie Tyler GSHS Principal (Physical Education)GSHS Principal (Physical Education)Beverly WenzelBeverly Wenzel FLYH Library Media Specialist (English)FLYH Library Media Specialist (English)Joyce WoodburnJoyce Woodburn Supervisor (Counselor, Social Studies)Supervisor (Counselor, Social Studies)


The PastThe Past

1993 – STACom formed to research 1993 – STACom formed to research alternatives to 6-period schedulealternatives to 6-period schedule

BCBE approved STACom recommendation of BCBE approved STACom recommendation of block if at least 70% of teachers in favor.block if at least 70% of teachers in favor.

Teacher vote = 81% in favor of blockTeacher vote = 81% in favor of block


The PastThe Past

1994 – STACom developed the 1994 – STACom developed the Blue BookBlue Book guidelines guidelines

Summer 1995 – extensive teacher trainingSummer 1995 – extensive teacher training

1995-96 – first year of implementation1995-96 – first year of implementation

New course offerings and diploma New course offerings and diploma requirementsrequirements


The PastThe Past

1996-97 First evaluation of block schedule 1996-97 First evaluation of block schedule

STACom concernsSTACom concerns Overloaded classes – imbalance of scheduleOverloaded classes – imbalance of schedule Poor attendance and excessive check outsPoor attendance and excessive check outs Career/Tech Education in need of improvementCareer/Tech Education in need of improvement Honors Diploma neededHonors Diploma needed Electives needed for students who fail AHSGEElectives needed for students who fail AHSGE Teacher training needed – use BCPS Teacher training needed – use BCPS

teachers as trainersteachers as trainers


The PastThe Past

1996-97 First evaluation of block schedule 1996-97 First evaluation of block schedule

STACom concernsSTACom concerns Still too many class interruptionsStill too many class interruptions Need more science coursesNeed more science courses Need summer/night school requirementNeed summer/night school requirement Should discontinue Keyboarding/Study SkillsShould discontinue Keyboarding/Study Skills Expand Health to 1-term courseExpand Health to 1-term course Blue BookBlue Book revised revised


The PastThe Past

May 2000 – Committee formed to May 2000 – Committee formed to study block schedulestudy block schedule Met twice – May and July of 2000Met twice – May and July of 2000 Recommended more teacher training and Recommended more teacher training and

the hiring of a consultant to gather datathe hiring of a consultant to gather data No further meetingsNo further meetings


The PresentThe Present

Changes made since 1997Changes made since 1997 Overloaded classes – imbalance of scheduleOverloaded classes – imbalance of schedule

Still a concernStill a concern Poor attendance and excessive check outsPoor attendance and excessive check outs

Still a concernStill a concern Career Tech Program in need of improvementCareer Tech Program in need of improvement

Changes made due to new Course of StudyChanges made due to new Course of Study Honors Diploma neededHonors Diploma needed

ImplementedImplemented Electives needed for those who fail AHSGEElectives needed for those who fail AHSGE

Prep Assistance classes implementedPrep Assistance classes implemented Teacher training neededTeacher training needed

Still a concernStill a concern



Changes made since 1997Changes made since 1997 Still too many class interruptionsStill too many class interruptions

Still a concernStill a concern Need more science coursesNeed more science courses

Added Earth, Environmental, Regular Marine, Added Earth, Environmental, Regular Marine, Advanced ChemistryAdvanced Chemistry

Need summer/night school requirementNeed summer/night school requirementStill a concernStill a concern

Should discontinue Keyboarding/Study SkillsShould discontinue Keyboarding/Study SkillsImplemented Computer Competency ChecklistImplemented Computer Competency Checklist

Expand Health to 1-term courseExpand Health to 1-term courseStill a concernStill a concern



Changes made since 1997Changes made since 1997 Dual EnrollmentDual Enrollment Algebra for MasteryAlgebra for Mastery AcademiesAcademies



Attendance/Grades CorrelationAttendance/Grades Correlation

Town Meeting SurveysTown Meeting Surveys

Teacher SurveysTeacher Surveys

Data from other AL school systems Data from other AL school systems

The Benefits of Extended TimeThe Benefits of Extended Time


The Future – The Future – Task ForceTask Force RecommendationsRecommendations

Consistent teacher trainingConsistent teacher training Needed to help teachers be more effective.Needed to help teachers be more effective. Require for teachers who are not using the block Require for teachers who are not using the block

effectively.effectively. Must be provided continuously.Must be provided continuously. Use our teachers as presenters.Use our teachers as presenters.


Attendance IssuesAttendance Issues Require summer school for students who fail Require summer school for students who fail

courses – funded by the school system courses – funded by the school system (see (see English chart)English chart)

Final exam exemption incentive for seniors only.Final exam exemption incentive for seniors only. Determine a terminal entrance date for students Determine a terminal entrance date for students

over 16 years of age.over 16 years of age. More rigorous guidelines for make up workMore rigorous guidelines for make up work Trips unrelated to school activities should be Trips unrelated to school activities should be

counted as absences.counted as absences. NEED an “academic” attendanceNEED an “academic” attendance

policypolicy

The Future – The Future – Task Force RecommendationsTask Force Recommendations


Courses and SchedulingCourses and Scheduling Keep the block!Keep the block! Research the feasibility of modifying the block Research the feasibility of modifying the block

for certain courses (e.g. AP, foreign language, for certain courses (e.g. AP, foreign language, math).math).

Provide training for high school administrative Provide training for high school administrative teams in developing a master schedule. teams in developing a master schedule.

Expand Health to an 18-week course.Expand Health to an 18-week course. Follow guidelines for class interruptions.Follow guidelines for class interruptions. Discontinue “teacher assistant” as a course.Discontinue “teacher assistant” as a course.

The Future – The Future – Task Force RecommendationsTask Force Recommendations


Health as a 1-term courseHealth as a 1-term course Implement Fall 2006Implement Fall 2006 7 Health teachers @ $64,000 each7 Health teachers @ $64,000 each 7 Driver’s Ed teachers @ $64,000 each7 Driver’s Ed teachers @ $64,000 each Total = $896,000Total = $896,000

Budget ImplicationsBudget Implications

Require Summer SchoolRequire Summer School For students who fail core courses during the For students who fail core courses during the

regular school year.regular school year. 30 teachers @ $116 per day for 24 days30 teachers @ $116 per day for 24 days Total = $85,000Total = $85,000


QuestionsQuestions& &

CommentsComments


English Courses 2003-2004

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

A

B

C

D

F

Le

tte

r G

rad

es

Average Number of Absences

11th grade

9th grade

Only 21% of these students made up their credit in summer school.

Therefore, schools had to reschedule 234 students for 9th and 11th grade

English in 2004-2005.

2.33 teacher units = 234 students = 8 classes

used for students who did not go to summer school.

n = 66 students

n = 237 students

Back to the Present


Town Meeting SurveyTown Meeting Survey

““What do you like about block?”What do you like about block?”

#1 #1 ANSWERANSWER::

Other Other CommentsComments

Students have more time to focus on their studies since they only

take four subjects.

• Similar to college class duration

• Many opportunities for in-depth study

• Elective and advanced course offerings


Town Meeting SurveyTown Meeting Survey

““What are your concerns about block?”What are your concerns about block?”

• Too much time exists between sequenced courses like foreign language and mathematics.

• Students have too much free time in class and are allowed to do all of their homework in class.

• Short attention span leads to boredom, which leads to discipline problems.

• One term is not enough time to learn good writing skills.

• Because of the fast pace, students are memorizing information rather than understanding it.

Back to the Present


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Our teachers:Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Neverfind the block to meet the needs of their students.

teach the required course objectives.

struggle with classroom discipline.

participate in workshops related to teaching in the block.

use class time wisely.

transition activities to keep their students focused.

incorporate hands-on activities.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Our Teachers say, "The majority of my students:

Agree

SomewhatAgree

SomewhatDisagree

Disagree

are able to focus on their studies.”

are able to finish their homework in class.”

have difficulty transitioning from middle to high school.”

have time to learn adequate writing and communication skills.”

have difficulty in math and foreign language.”

make up their work after an absence.”

understand the importance of being in class everyday.”

qualify for the final exam exemption.”

Back to the Present


High Schools in AlabamaHigh Schools in Alabama

Back to the Present

62% 62% on on

BlockBlock

38% not on Block


Extended Time BenefitsExtended Time Benefits

Read Across America

RBDH to RBDE

Archaeology

Robertsdale



Information Technology

Daphne High



Art – Foley High

Symphonic Band - Foley HighDrama – Gulf Shores High



Aquascience

Fairhope High



Environmental Science

Baldwin Co High

Fairhope High



Pre-Engineering

Baldwin Co High

Fairhope High

Spanish Fort High



Culinary ArtsGulf Shores High



Aviation

Daphne High



Back to the Present

Justice Academy

Robertsdale High


On Block 2004-2005On Block 2004-2005Alexander City

Andalusia City

Athens City

Attalla City

Auburn City

Autauga Co

Baldwin Co

Bessemer City

Bibb Co

Birmingham City

Chambers Co

Cherokee Co

Chilton Co

Choctaw Co

Clarke Co

Cleburne Co

Coffee Co

Colbert Co

Conecuh Co

Coosa Co

Cullman Co

Dale Co

Daleville City

Dallas Co

Demopolis City

Dothan City

Elba City

Elmore Co

Enterprise City

Etowah Co

Eufaula City

Fairfield City

Fort Payne City

Gadsden City

Geneva City

Geneva Co

Hale Co

Henry Co

Houston Co

Huntsville City

Jackson Co

Jacksonville City

Jasper City

Jefferson Co

Lanette City

Lawrence Co

Lee Co

Limestone Co

Lowndes Co

Madison City

Madison Co

Mobile Co

Muscle Shoals City

Opelika City

Opp City

Ozark City

Pell City

Perry Co

Phenix City

Pickens Co

Pike Co

Russell Co

Russellville City

Scottsboro City

Selma City

Sheffield City

St. Clair Co

Sylacauga City

Talladega City

Tallapoosa Co

Tallassee City

Talladega Co

Tarrant City

Thomasville City

Troy City

Tuscaloosa Co

Tuscaloosa City

Tuscumbia City

Walker Co

Back to Pie Chart


Not on Block 2004-2005Not on Block 2004-2005

Anniston City

Arab City

Barbour Co

Blount Co

Brewton City

Bullock Co

Butler Co

Calhoun Co

Clay Co

Covington Co.

Crenshaw Co

Cullman City

Decatur City

Dekalb Co

Escambia Co

Fayette Co

Florence City

Franklin Co

Greene Co

Guntersville City

Haleyville City

Hartselle City

Homewood City

Hoover City

Lamar Co

Lauderdale Co

Linden City

Macon Co

Marengo Co

Marion Co

Marshall Co

Midfield City

Montgomery Co

Montoe Co

Morgan Co

Mountain Brook City

Not on Block

Oneonta City

Oxford City

Piedmont City

Randolph Co

Shelby Co

Sumter Co

Vestavia Hills City

Washington Co

Wilcox Co

Winfield City

Winston Co

Back to Pie Chart

Documents

June 13, 2005 Block Scheduling in Baldwin County The Past, Present, and Future Presentation to the Baldwin County Board of Education June 13, 2005 Presented