The most commonly used calendar cycles are described in this paper, with a focus on the advantages and disadvantages of each. Calendar options include the following plans: 45-15 block and staggered, flexible 45-15, 60-20 block and staggered, 90-30 staggered, Concept 6, 60-15, Concept 8, trimester, quinmester, Concept 16, Concept 12, multiple…

Describes a committee's efforts to revamp schedules to improve their high school's elective course options, provide equitable teacher-preparation time, and use instructional time productively. From three viable schedules (a four-period block, alternating-day schedule; a five-period trimester with a flexible period; and a modified trimester plan…

This digest examines problems inherent in the traditional school scheduling pattern. It offers block scheduling as an option and describes variations in block schedules. It then looks at the benefits and challenges of block scheduling and concludes with a few suggestions for making the transition. Proponents argue that block scheduling allows for…

Based on a review of the literature, this paper objectively examines the key issues surrounding the implementation of year-round education (YRE) at the elementary level in public schools. Following the introduction, statement of the problem, and definitions, the fourth section provides a history of year-round education in the United States. The…

EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF RESCHEDULING THE SCHOOL YEAR WERE INVESTIGATED SO THAT, WITH THE PROVISION OF THE SAME NUMBER OF INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS AS ARE INCLUDED IN THE 13 YEAR SYSTEM, STUDENTS CAN COMPLETE THEIR SCHOOLING IN 11 OR 12 YEARS. THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN INCLUDED (1) A RURAL TOWN, A SUBURBAN COMMUNITY, A SMALL CITY, AND…

AT THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL, A LONGITUDINAL STUDY ATTEMPTED TO FIND OUT IF KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE CHILDREN WHO ATTENDED THE EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR OF THE TRIMESTER SYSTEM SHOWED SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN ACHIEVEMENT AND ADJUSTMENT AS COMPARED WITH CHILDREN OF A SIMILAR MEAN IQ WHO ATTENDED ONLY DURING THE REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR.…

ANTICIPATING A CHANGE FROM A SEMESTER TO A QUARTER SYSTEM OF INSTRUCTION, CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SURVEYED 357 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (EACH WITH 3,000 OR MORE ENROLLED) TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDARS BEING USED, THE METHOD OF SCHEDULING EVENING CLASSES, THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS PER WEEK, AND THE LENGTH OF CLASS SESSIONS.…

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…

This report describes findings on the feasibility of extended school year plans and outlines several approaches which can be recommended for their economical and educational implementation. Six plans are recommended: (1) the continuous learning year cycling plan which will release 25 percent of existing space in the first year; (2) the multiple…

The Fort Worth Trimester Plan (Intensified Learning Plan) employes three terms of approximately 60 days, each to replace a 90-day semester. To maintain an equivalent amount of classroom time, class periods are extended to 80 minutes at the high school level. The plan was implemented at one high school and three middle schools in 1970-71. The…

The popularity of semestered timetable organization is founded on the belief that this organizational change makes a positive contribution to the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of students. This research attempted to test the validity of that belief by identifying the claims made for timetable reorganization, formulating these claims as…

One result of the extraordinarily rapid pace of educational reform in recent decades has been public expectation of greater accountability for the more than $300 billion spent annually on schools. As reformers have sought better ways to utilize all resources, including instructional time, block scheduling has been developed as a more efficient way…

Questions concerning year-round schooling are presented and answered in this report. Following a definition of year-round education, examples of single-track and multitrack schedules are described, along with the calendar variations within them. Other issues that are addressed include holidays and intersessions, compliance with the Alberta School…