Creating the School Master Schedule

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Creating the School Master Schedule

• Dont Drop This Ball !!

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The Purpose of the Master Schedule . .

• ..is to arrange the allotted time, staff,
  students, and physical resources together so that
  optimum learning will take place.

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Key Points to Ponder

• The Master Schedule demands a command performance
  from the principal.
• It shows his/her ability (or inability) to
  conceptualize, to organize, and demonstrate
  detailed planning.
• If done well, the master schedule will support
  the curricula and instructional objectives of the
  school.
• If poorly done, it will be a roadblock to
  delivering the curriculum and a major source of
  frustration, particularly for teachers---and
  ultimately for students.

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Points Continued . . .

• Since the schedule usually remains fixed for the
  year, a poorly made schedule will have a
  detrimental impact on the total school program.
• The effective schools research has shown that
  actual and engaged learning time is imperative
  for student learning.
• The master schedule is the most important tool to
  make maximum use of time, staff, space, and
  instructional resources.

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Scheduling Issues Facing All Schools -
(Elementary, Middle, and High)

• Providing Quality Teaching/Learning Time
  Fragmented instructional times inhibit student
  learning. Problems at Elementary Level
  1. Pullout
  programs (ESL, Spec. Ed.,etc.)
  2. Schedules of specialists (Art, Music,
  P.E., Media, etc.)
• Problems at Middle High School Levels
  1. Six, Seven, Eight-Period Day
  
• 2. Exploratory Programs
• 3. Elective Courses
• 4. Extra-curricula Activities
• 5. Class Change Down Time

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Scheduling Issues . . . .

• Creating a School Climate
  At the elem. level,
  discipline problems often develop when teachers
  create student groups (problems in one group
  while teacher is working with another group).
  In middle high schools, many
  discipline problems develop when hundreds of
  students are changing classesmore changes ? more
  discipline problems. Traditional schedules
  in middle/high schools contributes to
  depersonalization/anonymity/isolation. With
  100-150 students, teachers find it impossible to
  develop close relationships with students which
  prevent discipline problems.

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Scheduling Issues . . . .

• Providing Varying Learning Time
• It is an indisputable fact that some students
  need more time to learn than others. Inflexible
  learning times disregards this important factor.
• In high schools, and to a lesser extent in
  middle schools, time/schedules tend to be
  ironclad.
• Inflexible time schedules force teachers to
  make pre-mature decisions about students. (Ex
  Deciding by mid-spring that a 7th grader cannot
  take algebra in grade 8.)

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A Master Schedule is Good if

• Students are scheduled in classes they need to
  take
• Sufficient time is provided for teachers
  students to achieve the objectives/expectations
  for each grade/subject.
• Students are able to take electives they choose
• An appropriately equipped classroom/learning area
  is available for each scheduled class/teacher
• No wasted times is allowed between classes
• Supervision can be provided when students are not
  in scheduled classes (Lunch, field trips,
  assemblies, etc.)

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A Master Schedule is Good if

• Teachers are assigned in their areas of
  certification expertise
• Teachers have their preferred classes/grade
  levels
• Teachers have adequate planning time, especially
  if teaming is employed

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Factors to Consider in Schedule Building

• Curriculum/Instructional Emphasis
• (Ex Reading, Math, Writing, EOC, EOG
  Results, etc.)
• Size of Student Body
• Number of Regular and Special Teachers Available
• Availability and number of Teacher Aides
• Schedules of any Itinerant Teachers
• Expertise of Teachers
• Number of Classrooms/Teaching Stations
• Size of Cafeteria/Length of Lunch Periods
• School Start and End Times
• Transportation/Bus Schedules

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Engaged Learning Time is the Key

• Engaged teaching and learning at the appropriate
  level is the key factor in student academic
  success.

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Learning Time (See Jane Stallings Work)
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Suggested Elementary Schedule Time
- Weekly Minutes Sub. Area Gr. 1
Gr. 2 Gr. 3 Gr. 4 Gr.
5 L.A. 820 800 720 645 605 Math 200 20
0 200 200 200 Soc. St. 80 100 140 175 175 Scienc
e 75 75 120 120 160 Art 45 45 45 45 45 Music 45
45 45 45 45 Hlth/P.E. 60 60 60 80 80 Library 45
45 45 45 45
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Another Blocked Schedule AlternativeAnoth
er Blocked Schedule alternative
Teacher A (AM) L.A., Soc. St., Break Specials,
Lunch
Teacher B (AM) Math, Science, Hlth, Break, P.E.,
Lunch
Students
(PM) L. A., Soc. St., Break Specials
(PM) Math, Science, Break, Hlth, P.E.
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Steps in High School Schedule Building

• 1. Registration of Students
• 2. Determine no. of students registering for
  each course
• 3. Determine size of classes
• 4. Determine length of class periods and school
  day
• 5. Determine time between classes homeroom
  period
• 6. Determine classrooms available and no.
  student stations in each
• 7. Prepare conflict sheet

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High School Schedule Building Continued . . .

• 8. Determine teacher certifications,
  qualifications, preferences
• Complete final schedule board, assignment of
  subjects, activities, etc. to teachers

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Conflict Sheet

• Adv. Bio. Calculus Span. IV Art III Drama Germ.
  III
• Adv. Bio. 6 7 12 4 5
• Calculus 2 9 2 6
• Span. IV 1 1 11
• Art III 5 3
• Drama 2
• Germ. III

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Thats All !!!!!! Happy Scheduling