Teacher Perceptions Regarding The Influence Block Scheduling Has On Student Learning As Compared To Traditional Scheduling In Middle Schools

The purpose of this study was to compare middle school teachers' perceptions on student learning in A/B block schedules and traditional schedules in schools with grade configurations of 6 through 8. Responses to the survey were disaggregated by schedule type and years of teaching experience within groups and between groups. Middle school teachers in the A/B block schedule perceived their schedule had a greater impact on student learning on over 90% of the survey responses. In addition the A/B block schedule teachers perceived their instructional strategies were more diverse than the traditional schedule middle teachers. While professional development demonstrated significant differences between the two groups, the differences were not as many or as large.

The call for reform to raise student achievement has required educators, school leaders, and researchers to look for new methods to improve the learning process. One method used increasingly is block scheduling. Block scheduling is the restructuring of the school day into classes much longer than the traditional 50-55 minute class period. The purpose of this study was to determine high school principals' and teachers' perceptions of block scheduling in Mississippi high schools in three areas: achievement, attendance, and discipline. Many theorists believe that a person's perceptions form the basis of reality for that person. If a teacher believes that block scheduling is effective, then for them, it is effective. Because some theorists believe that there is little to be gained from general studies that compare the objective results of block scheduling with the objective results of traditional scheduling since these comparisons have shown mixed results, this study addressed the social validity of block scheduling which is the extent to which participants perceive the worthiness of block scheduling. The research design used in this study was a cross sectional survey design. A researcher-developed survey instrument was used to collect data from teachers and principals in Mississippi high schools that had implemented block scheduling in the last 5 years. A total of 22 schools were used for the study. A 5 point Likert-type scale was used to measure respondents' perceptions of the effectiveness of block scheduling on the three areas. While both principals and teachers appeared to have positive perceptions of the impact block scheduling has on student achievement, discipline, and attendance, principals had a more positive perception than teachers in all three areas. Both groups appeared to believe that student discipline was the most positively affected area, while attendance was the least positively affected. Recommendations based upon the findings of this study included conducting: (a) studies that include a larger sample of principals, (b) studies that identify student perceptions of block scheduling, and (c) studies to determine how important staff development is when implementing block scheduling.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact block scheduling has on (a) student academic achievement, discipline, and attendance, and (b) administrator, teacher, and student perceptions. The study compared 2005-2010 data from a high school utilizing the A/B block schedule and a high school under a traditional schedule, in one suburban school district. The study used mixed methods. The quantitative data described, analyzed, and interpreted reading and math FCAT [Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test] scores, attendance rates, and discipline referrals from 2005-2010. A total of seven repeated ANOVAs were conducted to analyze the difference between the two schedule designs with respect to two achievement indicators; reading and math FCAT scores. The qualitative data offered a voice to administrators, teachers, and students, and was gathered through individual face-to-face, email, or phone interviews. The quantitative findings for the study yielded the following conclusions: (1) students experienced higher FCAT reading scores on the A/B block schedule than the traditional schedule; (2) students experienced higher FCAT math scores under the traditional schedule than the A/B block schedule; (3) attendance rates decreased for students under the A/B block schedule and increased for students under the traditional schedule; and (4) discipline referrals decreased at a higher rate for students under the traditional schedule than students under the A/B block schedule. The administrator, teacher, and student perceptions contributed to the following qualitative findings for the study: (1) block scheduling fosters extended learning sessions when properly planned; (2) with fewer transitions discipline issues decreased; (3) attendance was not affected by the block schedule; (4) block schedule allows for the implementation of various instructional strategies; and (5) transitioning from a traditional to a block schedule was thought to be difficult at first, but attainable, and would alleviate any feelings of being rushed. Four appendixes present: (1) Florida High School Report Card; (2) Interview Questions; (3) Participant Consent Form; and (4) Parental Permission Form. (Contains 22 tables.).

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain insight into the teacher perceptions of the block schedule in comparison to the traditional schedule. High school teachers from two school districts volunteered to complete a Likert-scale survey and answer three open-ended questions as well as participate in interviews about the effectiveness of the block schedule. An additional element of the study was to compare the responses from two different schools: those teachers new to the block, School A; and those teachers who had experienced the block for multiple years, School B. A look at school data provided additional information as a possible support of the teacher perceptions. Overall, teachers from both schools expressed positive perceptions of the block schedule. School B, the school with more experience in the block, had a greater percentage of teachers communicate positive perceptions of the block. School data supported the positive teacher perceptions as well.

With over 150 sample schedules, this book shows how scheduling strategies can enhance your school's capacity to offer exploratory courses, interdisciplinary teaching teams, teacher-based guidance programs, and other programs and practices which are responsive to the needs of early adolescents.

Author's abstract: 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 level assignment and professional development experiences. However, teachers with 11-15 years of teaching experience had more favorable perceptions of block scheduling than teachers with 6-10 years of teaching experience. Qualitative data were collected from three focus groups. A third party conducted one focus group in each of the three schools with a total of N = 21 participants. Themes were developed by combining responses from the N = 3 focus group sites. Teachers had mixed impressions of block scheduling. However, cited advantages far outweighed the disadvantages. Themes included: 90-minute planning period and better relationships with students. Disadvantages of block scheduling included less time for parental involvement and condensed curriculum content. Recommendations for further research to include: a large scale study be conducted that includes all Georgia secondary schools; a more comprehensive study be conducted that includes students, teachers, administrators, and parents; a study be conducted on the influence of the block schedule on student success in college and/or the workplace; future researchers conduct empirical studies of student achievement in content areas in schools utilizing the block schedule.

This study examined the perceptions of both regular education and special education teachers concerning the impact that block scheduling has on the social, emotional, behavioral, and academic growth and success of high school students with an IEP in three school districts in south central Pennsylvania. The study also investigated whether teachers perceive block scheduling as a positive or negative factor in the effective education of high school students with an IEP. Data were collected through an online survey that included Likert-scale questions, open-ended responses, and one-to-one interviews. Forty-four regular education teachers and thirteen special education teachers from three public school districts in south central Pennsylvania participated on this survey. The findings of this study suggest that regular education and special education teachers both perceive, at comparable degrees, that block scheduling provides the time to build better relationships within their classes, allows teachers to better understand their students with an IEP, go deeper into the content, while providing a school climate that is slower and less chaotic. Even though there were many similarities, there were also discrepancies in the perceptions between regular education teachers and special education teachers when asked if the grades of students with an IEP improved in the block schedule.