Many schools and districts are considering the benefits of a block schedule over a traditional model and making the switch to implement longer periods of instruction and more flexibility within the student day. According to research in the field, although there are pros and cons to a block schedule, the pros for teaching and learning outweigh the cons. Fewer courses taken at a time coupled with longer blocks that can be used for project- and work-based learning garner superior results for students and teachers.

That said, changing a high school schedule can be sensitive for everyone involved, including parents whose personal experience makes the block schedule foreign and sometimes scary. Teachers, too, often make the case that 70- to 90-minute blocks of instruction are too long for students and for themselves. When switching to a block schedule goes wrong, it can be detrimental for trust within the community and might include reverting back to past practices without evidence for doing so other than comfort with the status quo. Careful consideration and the following key strategies, on the other hand, can help to roll out a block schedule with the greatest ease and success possible.

Communication is Critical When Rolling Out a Block Schedule

One of the most important aspects of a successful initiative is communication, and this is especially true when rolling out a change to the high school schedule. Important stakeholder groups should be well-informed of the change, its benefits, and the timeline. School leaders, including school board members, should be equipped with talking points and counterpoints for well-known objections. Frontline staff, such as teachers and counselors, should be the first to be notified of the changes, why they’re important, and the supports in place for worried staff members and families.

Communication efforts should be strategic, starting at least one year in advance of the rollout. It’s recommended to conduct frequent updates to the community and school board, hold townhall meetings for information sharing and questions, and produce an FAQ for newsletters and websites. The change to a block schedule should have a strong rationale that’s positioned in every communication tool possible, and surveys can act as a way to gather and quell concerns as they arise. From the time the decision is made through the first year of implementation, communication is critically important and essential to success.  

Professional Development for Staff is Necessary When Rolling Out a Block Schedule

When rolling out a new block schedule, professional development for staff is critical for success. Teachers, who are often accustomed to half of the amount of instructional time that a block schedule provides, need ongoing professional learning and support to implement effectively. In fact, without a well-trained staff, large chunks of instructional time can be wasted, reverting to the likes of study hall rather than quality learning time. That means that the benefits of the block schedule are simply squandered rather than capitalizing upon. 

Staff need technical training and expertise to teach from “bell-to-bell” and provide students with rich experiences. The best part of larger chunks of time is that real project-based learning (PBL) can take place. The movement to PBL is great in theory, but it only works in practice if students have time and space to solve problems and communicate their solutions. Block schedules allow for guest speakers and other work-based learning opportunities as well, providing a fuller experience regarding the course material. But, teachers need training in strategies, such as PBL and the jigsaw method, for example, so that the extra time is used wisely and successfully. 

Make Simple Changes When Rolling Out a Block Schedule

Block schedules can become complicated. Switching to semester-based courses with other A/B style all-year courses running simultaneously can be daunting. It’s best to make the simplest changes possible and then scale from there in future years. Going from courses that are taught every day for 45 minutes to half-year courses at 90 minutes, for example, is a great first step, and plenty to contend with in the first year of implementation. Adding layers after that is important but too many changes can overwhelm staff and cause more problems than the good that comes from making the switch. 

One thing to consider is keeping a few courses as year-long offerings within the block schedule, which can quell fears and provide support for challenging classes. A course, such as Calculus AB, may change to the block format with more time but also run for the entire year versus one semester. This allows for even deeper levels of learning and the ability to increase the percentage of students who pass that AP test. Only the most challenging courses should be considered for this model, but can also help with questions about what happens when a student takes a rigorous course in the first semester and then needs to take the test for that course at the end of the school year. Simple modifications of this kind go a long way for teachers, students, and families as they consider the benefits of the new schedule. 

Include an Advisory Period When Rolling Out a Block Schedule

Short daily advisory periods have a number of great benefits when transitioning to a block schedule. When added to the schedule, they can shorten the 90-minute block, for example by a few minutes per period, which can be more attractive for students and teachers. A daily 30- to 40-minute advisory also allows for time to do important tasks that eat up other time wherever they’re scheduled to take place. Resume writing, for example, might happen in a junior English class, but might also be better suited for an advisory with updates to resumes each year. 

Advisory periods are great for a number of reasons, including test-prep, college searching, career exploration, interest inventories, and other personal and professional planning that is really important to a well-rounded experience for all students. A well-thought out advisory period with a solidly formatted scope and sequence can make the difference for students in terms of both college and career readiness upon graduation. 

Conclusion

Switching to a block schedule is a great idea, but without a successful rollout, it can easily backfire. Souring the community on the change can take years to overcome with setbacks that prevent stakeholders from getting behind the benefits. Communication is the key to any successful intuitive, and staff need to be prepared to work within the new framework. It’s always a good idea to keep things simple at first, and a well-designed advisory period can be included in the beginning and tweaked over time to ensure that every student graduates with a viable post-secondary plan. 

If you want thought leadership on anything you read here in this blog, reach out to schedule a meeting. 

If you want a solution to academic planning, advisory periods, WBL, and more, schedule a demo of Maia for a time that works for you.