The Basics of Master Schedule Building Ken Wagner, Ed.D. Principal, Rancho Mirage High School

My History, so far… Work Experience 13 years in Beaumont Unified School District 4 years in Palm Springs Unified School District Education CSU San Bernardino  1998, BS-Biology, Teaching Credential  2004, MA-Education Administration University of Redlands  2012, Ed.D.-Leadership: Educational Justice

Disclaimers

Learning Target Students will be able to understand the necessary basics of developing a master schedule as demonstrated by the creation of a basic plan for two departments.

Objectives Essential Questions: Students will learn the essential components of a typical master schedule; Students will learn the relevance of timelines; Students will learn a practical method for creating a schedule that provides course selection equity; Students will practice building a master-schedule with real numbers.

Master Scheduling Building a master schedule can be a daunting task. This presentation and application is geared toward 1 st or 2 nd year builders. The focus will be on the high school experience but will benefit middle school staff as well. The process discussed may be applied to any scheduling software!

Master Schedule Goal / Impact Satisfy student course requests Balance multiple section courses Satisfy teacher requests Student achievement Graduation/A-G completion

Timeline January – March 15 – pre-planning  Teacher wish list  Student course selection  What is the significance of March 15? End of the school year  Data entry  Department lead input  Staff number and expectation Start of school year Course change window

Timeline Population changes over the course of the school year.  What is the significance of enrollment changes ? Staffing?  What factors cause enrollment changes? Alt.Ed?

Planning Curriculum Decision making / Priorities

Planning Staffing options / credentials 

Planning System options (Synergy, Aeries, Zangle, Illuminate)  Course request tally, conflict Matrix, Load results;  Schedule construction logic and section placement order;  Example construction.

Curriculum Grade level courses, Graduation requirements, and A-G considerations Course offerings / course request

Curriculum Programs: Interdisciplinary teaming or school- within-a school  AP/Honors/IB, Linked learning / Partnership Academies, AVID, Department Leads, Teacher Teams, Others  What are the requirements of each?

Decision Making What are the priorities of the school?

Decision Making What does the data tell us?  Demographic data?  Assessment data?  CELDT, CAHSEE, EAP, SBAC, Common Assessments  Credit recovery  Achievement Gaps

Decision Making Are there other influences to consider?

Step-by-Step Collection of course requests System entry and course request tally  Number check for complete course request? Identification of section number need  Staffing factors and accommodations? Section placement  Priority factors considered? Factor Check  Preparation period distribution?  Period seat count?

Activity Go to the sample spreadsheet

Activity Course Tally Tab  Identify section numbers using student totals and class averages.

Activity Master Schedule Tab  Using staffing numbers, build the English and World Language department schedules.  Make sure that every staff member has a prep period.  Make sure that you have enough 9, 10, 11, and 12 th grade courses during each period.

Resources  Staff tab…UoRedlands…rattlerstaff Staff tab…UoRedlands…rattlerstaff