The Power of Innovative School Scheduling

Scheduling can be one of the most powerful, important, and unrecognized components for school improvement.  In the past, many school schedules were adult-focused and reflected the desires of the staff.   In today’s educational climate, it is vital that school administrators be innovative as they create schedules that are flexible and student-centered.  A student-focused master schedule can help ensure that students not only graduate, but are ready for college or a career when they leave high school.   

Florence Florence – Population of 40,026 The median household income is $35,632. Florence High is the only high school serving tenth through twelfth grade students within the Florence City School District. $17,850 less than the US average income. Built in 1967 Multiple renovations-athletic facilities, office complex, science complex with state of the art labs, career tech facilities, FAFA areas

Florence High School Students 1029 students in grades 10-12 Demographics 503 Males, 526 Females 54% White 31% African American 8% Hispanic 6% Multi-Race 1% Asian 45% Free and Reduced Lunch (61% district-wide) 2% HOPE Program

Our Path to Graduation 2007 - 69% 2008 - 68 % 2009 - 71% 2010 - 81% 2011 - 77% 2012 - 84% 2013 - 91% 2014 - 96% 2015 - 96%

Our Goal: To have 100% of our students graduate and have 100% ready to continue to move to and be successful at the next level (whatever that means for EACH student).

A few things that have worked for FHS. Supports Innovation Striving to Find “Something” for Every Student Nothing works without a Flexible Schedule Supports- Graduation Coach and a Success Coach Social Workers Riverbend Professional counselor with a school caseload Instructional partner Academic leaders PD ad Data Days District professional development – Florence Learning Conversation Network and 20 vital behaviors **FHS professional development-Marketplace, Marketplace in action, learning walks, instructional meetings. Our pillars are Jim Knight’s Unmistakable Impact with academic leaders and High Impact Instruction with teachers. Driven By Data: A Practical Guide to Improve Instruction | Paul – Bambrick-Santoyo. **Rescue program- Innovation- 1 to 1 district – 5-12 Chromebooks Innovation Waiver Assessments Certifications Florence Academy of Fine Arts was the catalyst for the scheduling explosion. Recording Studio 12 for Life Program – Students are CCR ready!!! Launch and the 12 for Life Connection virtual School Dual Enrollment with First 30 options on campus and off…. Career Tech –Fine Arts Partnership Fashion TV Production Falcon Branch Bank First 30 and Dual enrollment options

Working to find something for every child and then making that work into their “schedule” has been a vital component in our progress.

How we began the process of innovative scheduling? Where we started…8 – 50 minute periods with two periods lunches strewn across 2 periods. We added Period 0 and period 9 with a few students taking those courses. Senior that needed to go to work… went to period 0 in gov. and eco.

12 for Life Program 2009 we added 12 for life and periods 0 and 9. So difficult…

Florence Academy of Fine Arts (FAFA) 2011-12 waiver approved How the idea really began to get not only out of the box, but to throw the box in the trash. FAFA / Waivers on certification helped us have professional teachers Professionals need flexible schedules FAFA Facilitator- ½ teacher ½ facilitator and hired professional to teach 3 periods a day. Now kids needs flexible schedules and to be able to get their credits.

Florence Virtual School How do we do that with no money. Build the classes into the teachers schedules. Students have alternative days in their schedules to either be off campus or in a lab depending on the need of the student. Our teachers, teaching our students.

Block and yearlong classes 50 minute periods 100 minute periods 75 minute periods Common planning Block and yearlong classes All special education students are served in collaborative classrooms All transition classes –common time Different times and ways to do school! 100 minute classes. Building arts- design with construction/Culinary/Dance company/AP History 10th grade Science Teachers asked for 75 minute AP classes. 25 minute breaks Common planning (1. student work 2. Student data 3. assessments 4.Wild Card

Boost 2015 Boost 1 hour for lunch See their counselor Make up work Tutoring Club meetings Soaring Heights (Data notebooks, visiting professionals, resumes, character ed,) Class meeting ACT Prep Tardy Boost Time Homework time Maker’s Space Hang out with friends Extra time to work on performance Lunch with the keys RTI

Our Future Without innovative scheduling- this would not be a possiblity.

Meet the PEOPLE that make it happen for the children at FHS.

Lynne Hice lhice@florencek12.org