A Block Schedule at PMS: An Update

1. A Block Schedule at PMS: An Update Parent Forum December 10, 2012

2. Jeanne Donovan • Welcome • We want to make a great program even better • As educators, we always ask, “What can we do better?” • How can we do more to meet new 21st century core standards with the resources we already have? • Would a modified block schedule improve student learning?

3. Agenda • Introduce committee of staff & parents • Evolution of Thought and Process • Proposed, Trialed Modified Block • Our Findings, Results of Survey • Challenges, Improvements: Why a 3-day Block? • Next Steps • Panel discussion with Q&A

4. Block Schedule Committee Educators Parents • Jeanne Donovan, Principal • Eric Mapes, Asst. Principal • Hannah Bjork, Spanish • Brad Goodson, Math 6 and 8 • Ted Greenebaum, Science 8 • Jane Hickman, English 8/Journalism • Annie Holland, English 8/History 8 • Joci Kelleher, Core 6/Study Skills • Stella Kennedy, Core 6/Green Team • Kim Lipkin, Art/Leadership • Gina McKuen, Core 7/Shakespeare • Carrie Poole, Special Education • Amy Savage, Special Education • Anne Smith, Film/Animation • Camilla Thayer, Science 6 & 7 • Jon Elliott • Katie Korotzer • Sue Lin • Shirley Rexrode, PMS PC Pres. • Esther Rogers • Lillis Stern • Gautam Wadhwani, PMS PC Tsr. • Former Member: Mary Kelly, Past PMS PC President

5. Evolution of Thought • Wanted to consider block schedule • Researched options • Conducted a 2-day block trial (90-minute periods) for two weeks this fall • Surveyed stakeholders • Discussed benefits and challenges • Changed proposal to 3-day block to address challenges while maintaining benefits

6. An Enriching, Collaborative Process • 2010 Staff inquiry began • April 2011 First presentation at Parents’ Club meeting • Oct. 2011 First parent forum • Oct. 2011 Parents joined Block Schedule committee • 2011-2012 Site visits, readings, discussions • April 2012 Second parent forum (included elementary) • Oct. 2012 Two week trial of 2-day modified Block • Oct. 2012 Student, parent and staff surveys • Nov. 2012 Analysis of results which led to proposed 3-day Block • Dec. 2012 Third parent forum (includes elementary)

7. “Traditional” vs. “Modified Block” Schedule Traditional • 7-period day: each class meets every day Modified Block • Each class meets four times per week • Blocked periods – four or five classes per day

8. Trialed 2-day Block Schedule • 2 traditional and 3 blocked days • Early dismissal at 2:05 pmeveryweek on Wednesday

9. Why Change: Improved Learning We expected to find that longer periods: • Allow for better, deeper grasp of concepts  • Create uninterrupted time for research  • Provide opportunities for richer discussions  • Reduce passing time & set-up/clean-up time  • Lend themselves more effectively to multiple activities 

10. What We Learned • Deeper grasp of concepts • Example: Math (Mr. Goodson) • Uninterrupted research or writing time • Example: Core 6 (Mrs. Kelleher) • Richer discussions and elaborate activities • Example: History 8 (Mrs. Holland) • Reduced transition time = time for debriefing • Example: Science (Mr. Greenebaum) • Multiple activities • Examples: Core 7 (Ms. Brenneman), World Languages (Mrs. Bjork) and P.E. (Mrs. Jarvis)

11. Survey Results: Faculty Majority of the faculty agreed or strongly agreed that during the block schedule trial: • They could utilize a greater variety of teaching strategies • They could better address the range of learning styles • They had increased individualized student interaction • Pacing was challenging in a 90-minute period

12. Survey Results: Students 72% of students indicated that blocked periods during the trial increased: • Interaction time with teachers • Ability to learn • Comprehension of lessons • Homework due less frequently, reduced student stress

13. Survey Results: Parents’ Perspectives About Block Trial • Majority felt somewhat or very positive overall • Majority supported schedule with two or more block days • Over 75% of students spoke with their parents about their experience

14. Addressing the Challenges Trialed 2-day Block Schedule

15. Addressing the Challenges

16. Proposed 3-Day Block Schedule • 2 traditional and 3 blocked days • Early dismissal at 1:48 pmeveryweek on Wednesday (same as elementary schools)

17. Addressing the Challenges

18. Looking Ahead • Conduct teacher vote on final proposal: • Principal & Superintendent must approve • Majority of teachers must approve • School Board must approve • Earliest possible implementation 2013-2014 • If approved, staff development and planning time provided between January and June 2013 – curriculum, organizing one lunch, master schedule • If implemented, all stakeholders will be surveyed next year as we continue to evaluate effectiveness

19. Summary • Result of a broad, judicious inquiry process • Majority of teachers support opportunity for innovation • 72-minute periods preferable to 90 minute periods • Still provide great benefits to student learning • Community input is valued; please contact: • Any parent member on the committee OR • PMS_PC.BlockSchedule@comcast.net

20. Appendix

21. Sample Sixth Grade Schedule Comparison

22. Educational Rationale • Supports interdisciplinary theme development • Provides time for teachers to develop instructional practices that increase differentiation • Provides time for teachers to evaluate assessments • Supports continued development of professional learning communities, which aligns with new teacher evaluation system