Block Scheduling

    Every year more and more schools are taking advantage of the idea of block scheduling. This is a new way of scheduling classes that allows for longer periods and less classes. Traditional school schedules are made up of six to eight classes each school year, usually lasting about 40-50 minutes each. Block scheduling, however, consists of four classes each semester. These classes last about 85-100 minutes each. After a semester is over a student gets four more classes, totaling in eight classes a year.

This type of scheduling has numerous benefits both to teachers and students. As a English Education major I have found that teachers are unable to use a variety of teaching techniques within a 40-50 minute period. By the time the class is settled down and attendance is taken, there is only about a half hour left for the teacher to complete the lesson. This is barely enough time to introduce a new topic to a class. Block scheduling gives teachers enough time to complete a full lesson plan or activity without interruptions. Also with the traditional form of scheduling there is more time wasted in hallways between classes.

When students are introduced to four subjects at a time instead of eight, they find it easier to concentrate. Block scheduling allows students to be more focused and makes room for better test results. It is simply easier for a student to concentrate if he/she has less to worry about. Since most college schedules last about an hour and a half, block scheduling also prepares high school students for the college experience.

Block scheduling not only helps students focus on subjects in class, it helps them with homework as well. With four classes instead of eight, block scheduling calls for less homework. This gives them more time to study without the slew of textbooks and back problems. Studies have shown that the numerous textbooks used in traditional scheduling has resulted in increasing back problems with school-aged children.

Other educators have found that block scheduling causes short attention spans with young children. I believe that this upside of block scheduling greatly outweighs the downside. Every school who uses traditional scheduling should take a closer look at block scheduling and it’s advantages!