The participants of this phenomenological study were employed at a school that previously was not performing on assessments at a level equal to schools in the state comparison group. Due to low student achievement, school leaders explored pathways to improve instruction and changed the school schedule from a semester schedule to a trimester…

Although many high schools are switching from a semester to a trimester schedule as a response to increased high-school graduation requirements, there is very little empirical research on trimesters. In this ethnographic case study (2006-2009), we observed 22 math and science classrooms, interviewed seven administrators, two counselors and 22…

This report evaluates an experimental trimester plan adopted by a Birmingham (Alabama) high school during the 1976-77 school year. The Birmingham trimester plan maintained the usual length school year, simply dividing it into three "mesters," rather than the traditional two. The plan also lengthened each class period to 85 minutes, so…

A three-phase study was conducted at the College of the Redwoods (C/R) to determine if the college calendar should be changed, and if so, how. The first phase of the study consisted of establishing priority criteria for consideration of alternative forms of calendar organization, identification of calendar alternatives, and compilation of a list…

The calendar innovation at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is evaluated in this FIPSE-supported project. Five objectives are addressed: (1) assessment of changes in campus activities, climate, and attitudes of students, faculty, administrators, and the Oshkosh community; (2) measurement of student and faculty attitudes toward unique…

After reviewing types of college calendars (traditional semester, early semester, trimester, and quarter) and previous research on the use of various school calendars, this paper describes a survey conducted by Ocean County College, a medium-sized college currently using a traditional semester calendar, to determine the views of students, faculty,…

This document provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of five different academic calendars, including: traditional semester, early semester, quarter, trimester, and "4-1-4." The present California State Code defines the academic year of the California Community Colleges as 175 days, based on the K-12 standard. This…

A trend toward adoption of the early-semester calendar, which runs from August to May with exams before Christmas vacation is discussed, along with other changes in college scheduling for curriculum development, increased efficiency, student job scheduling, student retention, and decreased paperwork. (MSE)

This fastback examines the instructional and administrative benefits of year-round education and describes schools currently operating on a year-round schedule. Instructional benefits of year-round education for gifted, average, and remedial students are cited in a brief introductory article. Other benefits, discussed in more detail, include…

The impact of an alternative calendar that was developed to meet the needs of present and projected university constituencies at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh was assessed. The calendar combines a traditional two-semester system of 17 weeks each and an eight-week summer session with an alternative calendar that divides the fall and spring…

This report is an up-to-date and comprehensive review of the literature and research findings related to the rescheduled school year with the aim of presenting information and research data about the major extended school year designs and the impact of these designs on a school system. The first chapter considers the reasons why extended school…

This report summarizes the available information on year-round schools. The document narrates a brief history of the year-round school, describes several variant related program types, and presents some of the advantages and disadvantages of such programs. One section of the report offers pro and con views on the subject of the extended school…

In order to determine whether there were compelling reasons for Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) to change its quarter calendar, and which calendar would be most appropriate to the college and most responsive to the problems that made the change seem desirable, previous calendar change studies were reviewed and administrators of…

Under the Intensified Learning Plan (ILP), the school year was organized into trimesters. Students focused on fewer subjects for longer daily periods than usual. Results of tests, questionnaires, and conferences were used to measure the accomplishment of criterion objectives. The majority of parents, students, and teachers prefered the ILP, with…

THIS REPORT TO THE NEW YORK LEGISLATURE DESCRIBES SEVERAL EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR DESIGNS WHICH HAVE BEEN CREATED TO HELP ATTAIN THE GOALS OF ECONOMY AND INCREASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY--(1) THE CONTINUOUS PROGRESS DESIGN, (2) THE MODIFIED SUMMER SCHOOL, (3) THE TRIMESTER DESIGN, (4) THE QUADRIMESTER DESIGN, (5) THE EXTENDED K TO 12 PLAN, AND (6)…