ERIC Number: ED564399
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Feb
Pages: 62
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Block Scheduling Evaluation, 2003-2004. E&R Report No. 04.17
Reichstetter, Rosemary; Baenen, Nancy
Wake County Public School System
In 2003-04, 11 Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) high schools moved from a traditional student schedule of six full-year courses to a block schedule of four courses each semester (4x4). Implementation went fairly smoothly, with 90% of teachers trained prior to the change. Academic course opportunities and course enrollment numbers increased substantially (by 24% and 46% respectively) compared to 2002-03, key desired outcomes. Academic success was marked by increases in credits earned, grade promotion rates, and twelfth grade graduation rates as desired. Maintenance of prior status was desired for other outcomes this first year. End-of-course performance and grade point averages of 3.0 or higher actually increased slightly, while Advanced Placement (AP) scores of 3 and greater decreased slightly. Student attendance and suspension rates remained the same. Generally, most of those surveyed and interviewed expressed satisfaction with the change. Exploring modified schedule options for some courses as well as continued professional development are recommended. [David A. Martin, Steve Hauge, Richard Murphy, and Glenda Haynie contributed to this report.]
Descriptors: Counties, School Districts, High Schools, Public Schools, Block Scheduling, Program Implementation, School Schedules, Course Selection (Students), Advanced Placement, Educational Methods, Faculty Development, Teaching Methods, Enrollment Trends, Test Preparation, Accountability, Scores, Grade Point Average, Student Promotion, Student Behavior, Attendance Patterns, Suspension, Satisfaction, Teacher Attitudes, Parent Attitudes, Student Attitudes, Administrator Attitudes
Wake County Public School System. 5625 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC 27518. Tel: 919-431-7215; Fax: 919-431-7193; e-mail: wcpss-data-accountability@wcpss.net; Web site: www.wcpss.net
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative; Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), Evaluation and Research Department
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A