Reply to Block Schedules

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can you list the issues they have again?[/quote]

There are always exceptions and it depends ENTIRELY on the type of block but music teachers are almost universally opposed to block scheduling.

http://save-music.org/files/4314/1790/4132/1996_08_Instrumentalist-Block_Schedule.pdf

Even advocates of block scheduling acknowledge it hurts music programs. [/quote]

Your "study" is from 1996, and no, advocates for block scheduling don't acknowledge that it hurts music programs.  I have worked in a MS with a block schedule, and chorus, band and orchestra were all in favor of it, and would not want to go back to a traditional schedule.  In addition my sons' experience in their band and orchestra classes in their MS and HS on a block schedule was excellent; award winning bands at all levels (the article mentioned band directors losing class offerings...not true, symphonic, wind ensemble, jazz band (and of course marching) were offered, and there were 3 levels of orchestra as well.  [/quote]

Again, this completely depends on the kind of block schedule used.

If you want to play the academic research game, you'll lose. See e.g.

Heffner, C.J. (2007). The impact of high-stakes testing on curriculum, funding, instructional
time, and student participation in music programs. (Doctoral Dissertation).

Haugland, S.L. (2007). Crowd control: Classroom management and effective teaching for
chorus, band, and orchestra. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.

The reality is this is an unproven bell schedule. There isn't much research on it, especially at the middle school, but what little research there was does show it's harmful to achievement -- and music programs.

[/quote]

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