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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Block vs. Traditional
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s one that’s giving Cobb schools administrators indigestion (read a study committee has been formed).
When the principal of Kell High announced this spring that the school would be switching from traditional to block scheduling in the coming school year, a hue and cry went up from several parents who argued against it pointing out that two of Cobb’s highest performing high schools—Walton and Lassiter—were on traditional, seven-period-a-day schedules. They noted that recent research says block isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. (The bulk of Cobb high schools are on some kind of block scheduling).
The uproar reached the ears of the superintendent who put things on hold at Kell, (they’ll be going to some kind of traditional/block hybrid in August), called for a survey to see what kinds of schedules the district’s high schools are on (a varied mixture it turns out); and announced the formation of a study committee this summer to see which is more effective.
The argument for block scheduling in vogue in the past decade is that it gives students more seat time (hour and a half-long classes v. 55 minute-long traditional classes), allows students to complete a full unit in one semester and complete eight credits in a school year rather than the traditional six. Thus, students would be able to work in two more courses in a school year.
But is it paying off academically ? Recent research suggests it may not. One concern is that students aren’t retaining as much, that students’ attention span tends to fade with the longer seat time.
What’s your experience been with block v. traditional scheduling ? Are students’ butts getting numb and their minds switching off ? Are students better off getting smaller doses of math, science , social studies etc. every day, or more content every other day ? How does it work at your school ? Which do you think creates a more effective learning environment ?
