Student Teacher: Jackson Northwest High School TRIMESTER?......TRY AGAIN EXAMINING THE ROLE SCHOOL SCHEDULING PLAYS IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Jeff DeMoss

Scheduling Options  Semester  Year broken into two semesters  Typically 6 or 7 periods in a day (45-55 minutes)  Trimester  Year broken into three trimesters  Typically 4 or 5 periods in a day (60-75 minutes)  Block  Can exist under trimester or semester year schedule  4 (75+ minutes) periods  Same class every other day

Research  Schools have used changes in school scheduling as an attempt at a cost- effective fix for low test scores  Mainly Anecdotal  Schools trying to convince themselves what they did was right decision  McCreary/Hausman 2001 Study:  “Differences in Student Outcomes Between Block, Semester and Trimester Schedules”

McCreary/Hausman Study  3 urban high schools in same district over 4 years  Semester/Trimester/Block Schedules A. SAT Test Scores B. GPA C. Absentee Rates D. Credits Attempted/Earned  Study controlled for background differences between schools

High School Info  Oakwood  Semesters  7 periods – 48 minutes long  Jefferson (Similar to Northwest)  Trimesters  5 periods – 63 minutes long  Washington  Block  4 periods – 83 minutes long – every other day  Roughly 2,000 students in each

GPA Comparison 2.35

School Comparison  Trimester students get to take more electives  Semester students more likely to pass electives Why?  Trimester students had higher Science SAT scores  Semester students had higher Math SAT scores Why?

Days Absent (as % of total days) 50 more students absent per day under Trimester schedule

Jackson Northwest High School  1,084 Students  Has missed AYP for 5 straight years  At risk of going into phase 5 of government intervention program for struggling schools  07/08 Block Semesters  08/09 Flex Trimesters  09/10 Trimesters

Northwest High Schedule Yearly Schedule  1 st Tri – Sep. 8 th - Nov. 23 rd  2 nd Tri – Nov. 30 th - March 5 th  3 rd Tri – March 8 th - June 11 th  Roughly 12 week long Trimesters Daily Schedule  5 Periods (7:30-2:30)  Same classes every day

Breadth vs. Depth  Pacing Guides  Trying to cram what used to be done in 18 weeks into 12 weeks  Social Studies is far more interesting in detail  Essential info cut out  Math/Science prerequisites messed up Rushed Schedule + Common Assignments = Lack of teacher freedom/creativity

Class Time  Longer class periods supposed to equal more individual attention from teacher  Longer class periods also = extreme boredom  Students get worn out – changing classes refreshes  Studies show that longer periods do not necessarily equate to more innovative/diverse instruction

Trimester Positives  Chance for more electives  Students list this as #1 reason they like trimesters  Students have greater opportunity to make up failed classes  Double edged sword – less pressure to pass 1 st time  Teachers have less classes to prepare for each tri……but more classes in a year

Conclusions  Trimester Schedule  Crammed pacing guide = lack of depth  Student performance diminishes – lack of pressure  Longer periods mean less attentiveness  Semester schedule is the best option  Cover more material and in greater depth  More pressure to perform 1 st time taking class  Teachers have greater opportunity to implement creative, in depth lessons and projects