The Columbus Public Schools Board has approved a scheduling model for the 2007-2008 school year called the modified block schedule. It differs from the current nine-period day model in that a typical class will go from 42 minutes in length for a whole year to 90 minutes per day for a semester. It is called a modified block because some classes, such as music, foreign language, or math, could be offered in the traditional year-round format at 45 minutes each. Thus, it gives students the flexibility of having some classes for 90 minutes and some at 45. Why is the high school asking the school board for such a change?

Such modified block schedules are now frequently seen in high schools across our nation. In Nebraska alone about ten high schools use some form of block scheduling. Studies have shown that schools moving to this type of schedule consistently see failure rates decrease, graduation rates improve, office referrals for discipline decline, attendance rates go up, and general school climate, as measured by teacher, student, and parent surveys, get better.

Another advantage the modified block schedule gives students is the opportunity to take more classes each year. This allows students to take more electives or advance into higher levels of core classes such as math, science, and foreign languages. Having only four or five classes to concentrate on at a time versus the current seven is also a plus for students. This helps them prepare for college where they will have a similar number of classes in their load. It also helps them to stay organized and focus their attention on a more manageable number of areas.

The 90-minute periods, common to the modified block schedule, allow teachers to delve into material at greater depth and provide more hands-on learning. They also allow for more application of learning in real-life situations. More interactive small group work and lab learning experiences are also possible. These active teaching approaches increase students’ enjoyment of learning. They also enhance student understanding.

Teachers benefit in two main ways from this new schedule structure. They have fewer classes for which to prepare each day. Student numbers per teacher also go down (from about 160 to about 75). These smaller student numbers allow teachers to provide more personalization of learning and help them track student progress more easily. This leads to teachers intervening earlier when students have difficulties. This should result in greater student success.

Student success is also enhanced in this model through having fewer transitions within a day from class to class. This provides more learning time and reduces the opportunities for misbehavior in hallways and restrooms. The model also increases students’ success as they normally only need to endure a disagreeable class experience for a semester, rather than a full year. When a student knows a bad experience will be over in another month versus another five months, it helps students complete the class and receive a passing grade. In a traditional year-round schedule, this same student may end up dropping or failing the class and having to retake it.

You may be saying to yourself, “This is simply too good to be true. There must be some catch such as reduced test scores.” The answer to that is no. Studies have shown that a block schedule format is neutral when one looks at test scores. Some research shows test scores go up. Others show them going down. Over-all the researchers say the block schedule has a neutral effect on achievement. This fact actually is a positive. If test scores in core subjects stay the same, yet students can take more classes through the course of their high school years, this is an over-all improvement.

The cost of the new scheduling model is a bit higher. It is estimated that Columbus High School will need to hire about two additional teachers to staff the modified block schedule. However, this seems like a small cost to pay to bring about the other improvements mentioned above.

So is the modified block schedule the magic silver bullet that schools have been looking for? No, going to this scheduling change by itself will not make a school great. Many other factors go into bringing excellence to a high school. However, a modified block schedule makes possible many of the factors that do lead to success. Therefore, adopting a modified block schedule is a wise first step in helping all Columbus High Students maximize their learning potential during their senior high years.

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