APS Block Schedule - 90 minute core classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is high school block schedule too?

Of course! It's been that way in this area forever.

APS high schools implemented it relatively recently. It’s the trend in public education and current education theory regarding best practices.

Why is it considered best practice?

Like Lucy Calkins….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is high school block schedule too?

Of course! It's been that way in this area forever.

APS high schools implemented it relatively recently. It’s the trend in public education and current education theory regarding best practices.

“Recently”? Like 10-15 years ago?

I thought it was around 2016. I think Wakefield was first. Then the others followed.

[Anonymous]

Is block schedule cheaper to run?

https://www.ledgertranscript.com/Jaffrey-Rindge-s-New-School-Board-Discusses-Default-Budget-45610979

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is high school block schedule too?

Of course! It's been that way in this area forever.

APS high schools implemented it relatively recently. It’s the trend in public education and current education theory regarding best practices.

Why is it considered best practice?

Like Lucy Calkins….

Is the idea that it encourages discovery learning by allowing time for exploration, group discussion, and projects? I suppose that's one way to reduce teacher-directed learning - make the class so long that teachers have no choice but to cut back their cumulative weekly instruction so as not to overload students in one sitting.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been told it’s more equitable. Seriously. I don’t understand how, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been told it’s more equitable. Seriously. I don’t understand how, though.

I guess the argument would be that since homework can be done in class with the extended time afforded by block scheduling, all kids will have someone to help with homework.

[Anonymous]

I think HB tried out the block system and kids voted to go back to traditional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think HB tried out the block system and kids voted to go back to traditional.

WTAF?!!?! HB is the only APS school without block scheduling?????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think HB tried out the block system and kids voted to go back to traditional.

WTAF?!!?! HB is the only APS school without block scheduling?????

They have 50-min. blocks but each class only meets 4x/week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think HB tried out the block system and kids voted to go back to traditional.

WTAF?!!?! HB is the only APS school without block scheduling?????

They have 50-min. blocks but each class only meets 4x/week.

Exactly. The 90 minute classes are BS. Teachers don’t have the time energy to build those project based lessons that would use 90 minutes, so end up doing 45 minute typical period lecture, and then de facto study hall for remainder of block. Kids and teacher just don’t have stamina for multiple 90 minute classes.

HBW is running just like my neighbors private school, 50 minute periods but 4x week. What a weird coincidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is high school block schedule too?

Of course! It's been that way in this area forever.

APS high schools implemented it relatively recently. It’s the trend in public education and current education theory regarding best practices.

We had this fight about 10 years ago in Arlington when they tried to introduce it. I guess they had another crack at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think HB tried out the block system and kids voted to go back to traditional.

WTAF?!!?! HB is the only APS school without block scheduling?????

They have 50-min. blocks but each class only meets 4x/week.

Exactly. The 90 minute classes are BS. Teachers don’t have the time energy to build those project based lessons that would use 90 minutes, so end up doing 45 minute typical period lecture, and then de facto study hall for remainder of block. Kids and teacher just don’t have stamina for multiple 90 minute classes.

HBW is running just like my neighbors private school, 50 minute periods but 4x week. What a weird coincidence.

My high school has 50ish minute blocks 4 days a week. It was great. Gave you a little more time with each class and also gave you one night off from homework for each class. It is frustrating HBW is able to keep to that and the other schools have to switch.

Public education is just nuts, so much chasing trends with little supporting data

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think HB tried out the block system and kids voted to go back to traditional.

WTAF?!!?! HB is the only APS school without block scheduling?????

They have 50-min. blocks but each class only meets 4x/week.

Exactly. The 90 minute classes are BS. Teachers don’t have the time energy to build those project based lessons that would use 90 minutes, so end up doing 45 minute typical period lecture, and then de facto study hall for remainder of block. Kids and teacher just don’t have stamina for multiple 90 minute classes.

HBW is running just like my neighbors private school, 50 minute periods but 4x week. What a weird coincidence.

My high school has 50ish minute blocks 4 days a week. It was great. Gave you a little more time with each class and also gave you one night off from homework for each class. It is frustrating HBW is able to keep to that and the other schools have to switch.

Public education is just nuts, so much chasing trends with little supporting data

I think Block scheduling let’s teacher work a little less (instead of 2 days of lectures, it’s 1 lecture and study hall), and maybe saves county money someway but that I’m less sure about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think HB tried out the block system and kids voted to go back to traditional.

WTAF?!!?! HB is the only APS school without block scheduling?????

They have 50-min. blocks but each class only meets 4x/week.

Exactly. The 90 minute classes are BS. Teachers don’t have the time energy to build those project based lessons that would use 90 minutes, so end up doing 45 minute typical period lecture, and then de facto study hall for remainder of block. Kids and teacher just don’t have stamina for multiple 90 minute classes.

HBW is running just like my neighbors private school, 50 minute periods but 4x week. What a weird coincidence.

My high school has 50ish minute blocks 4 days a week. It was great. Gave you a little more time with each class and also gave you one night off from homework for each class. It is frustrating HBW is able to keep to that and the other schools have to switch.

Public education is just nuts, so much chasing trends with little supporting data

HBW Private School on Public Dime (tm)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think HB tried out the block system and kids voted to go back to traditional.

WTAF?!!?! HB is the only APS school without block scheduling?????

They have 50-min. blocks but each class only meets 4x/week.

Exactly. The 90 minute classes are BS. Teachers don’t have the time energy to build those project based lessons that would use 90 minutes, so end up doing 45 minute typical period lecture, and then de facto study hall for remainder of block. Kids and teacher just don’t have stamina for multiple 90 minute classes.

HBW is running just like my neighbors private school, 50 minute periods but 4x week. What a weird coincidence.

My high school has 50ish minute blocks 4 days a week. It was great. Gave you a little more time with each class and also gave you one night off from homework for each class. It is frustrating HBW is able to keep to that and the other schools have to switch.

Public education is just nuts, so much chasing trends with little supporting data

I think Block scheduling let’s teacher work a little less (instead of 2 days of lectures, it’s 1 lecture and study hall), and maybe saves county money someway but that I’m less sure about.

From what my kids have said I don't think it's a "study hall" as kids get older. It can be used for group work, discussions, more active learning, etc. Probably easier to have continuity of thought with a longer "teach" portion. Not so chopped up over the week.