Scheduling at Tier 2: How Do We Fit It All In? September 24, 2013 Facilitated/Presented by: The Illinois RtI Network is a State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) project of the Illinois State Board of Education. All funding (100%) is from federal sources. The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H325A However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (OSEP Project Officer: Grace Zamora Durán) I-RtI Network Joan Hartnett and Kim Spiker

Objectives  Learners will identify three ways in which innovative scheduling may impact the quality of time that students spend in school.  Learners will evaluate their scheduling systems in relation to three key issues discussed.  Learners will develop the first steps of an action plan to adapt or create a schedule for their district or building.

Shout Outs  Identify Benefits of a Well Crafted Schedule  Identify one or more barriers or issues you are having with scheduling and/or resource allocation. Write on a sticky note and place on parking lot

Roadmap  Issues schools face regarding scheduling  Information on scheduling  Examples of schedules  Guest speaker – real life example  Action planning

Issues Related to Scheduling  Quality instructional time  Positive school climate  Varied amounts of learning time  Addressing student needs

Quality Instructional Time  Fragmented instructional time  Special programs schedule  Multiple pieces of unconnected curriculum

Positive School Climate  Daily schedule may have an impact on the school/classroom climate  Traditional schedule depersonalizes instruction for students  Short instructional periods

Varied Amounts of Learning Time  Some students need more time to learn than others  Options for acceleration are limited  Curriculum issues

Scheduling As A Solution  Schedule should reflect student needs  Utilize data to develop the schedule  Schedule key component

Table Talk Evaluate the scheduling system in your district/building in relation to the three issues presented and be prepared to discuss Guiding Questions:  Is your instructional time fragmented and if so, how?  How does the schedule impact the school climate in your building?  How is the need to vary learning time met within your schedule?  Does your schedule adequately address student needs?

SCHEDULING MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL

Guiding Principles for Scheduling  Consider time as a way to value instructional priorities  Identify priorities for instruction and intervention  Analyze current schedule for time allocated to activities  Work collaboratively to develop a schedule that uses time to prioritize student needs

Process for Developing Schedules

Middle/High School Scheduling Options  Elective Periods  Common Intervention Time  Pull-out from Core Content Classes  Extra Classes  Extended Learning Time

Staffing Intervention Classes  No new staff – Changed responsibilities of teaching staff  Designated one or more staff as RtI Interventionists  General education teachers as interventionists

A Conversation About RtI at the Secondary Level

Common Intervention Time Schedule  Homeroom: 8:45-8:55 Intervention: 8:55-9:25 1st period: 9:25-10:10 2nd period: 10:10-10:55 3rd period: 10:55-11:40 4th period: 11:40-12:25 5th period: 12:25-1:00 (Lunch) 6th period: 1:00-1:45 7th period: 1:45-2:30 8th period: 2:30-3:10

Van Buren Middle School, Ohio ClassTime Period 1Academic Core Block7:50-8:48 Period 2Academic Core Block8:51-9:49 Period 3Advisory9:49-10:19 Period 4MODS 6 Music 7/8 10:22-11:05 Period 5Lunch and Flex 6/7 MODS 8 11:08-11:54 Lunch 6 11:08-11:38 Lunch 7 11:24-11:54 Period 6Music 6, MODS 7, Lunch and Flex 8 11:57-12:43 Lunch 8 11:57-12:27 Period 7Academic Core Block12:46-1:47 Period 8Academic Core Block1:50-2:51

Tips for Middle School Scheduling  Block scheduling  Exploratory teachers participate on middle school teams  Reorganize 180 day calendar  

High School Scheduling Tips  Each class meet for a full day on a rotating schedule  Schedule one long lunch period  Teachers schedule office time  Meeting time for clubs, activities  Gym, library, computer labs open for student use

SCHEDULING EXAMPLES HIGH SCHOOL- JOAN SOKOLOWSKI

Impact Scheduling- Making Lemonade o Change!!! What we had What we have now o Time and scheduling of staff is our greatest free resource o Deciding how best to utilize this time/staff is a consensus process o Student needs and data always drive the process

Compare and Contrast

What Did We Do?  Utilize the extra time afforded us  60 minutes a week per CORE  Utilize staff strengths  Structure of Student Support  Use the schedule to allow for planning, interventions, and assessing  Problem Solving/School Improvement Committee  Weekly intervention planning  Maximizing student support through pre-planning

WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED

ACTION PLANNING  Discuss scheduling options and tips  Develop an action plan or the first steps of a plan for development of a schedule

Resources:  “RtI Scheduling Processes for Middle School” National Center on Response to Intervention  “The Power of Innovative Scheduling” Educational Leadership, by Robert Lynn Canady and Michael D. Rettig  “Finding Time: Building Schedules to Implement RtI,” University of Texas  eduling.swfhttp://buildingrti.utexas.org/CAP/Scheduling/Sch eduling.swf

SHARE OUT  Share one idea you received from this session or one item that you will share with your team regarding scheduling

“Only in the last decade have educators begun to capitalize on the potential of scheduling to improve schools. With open minds and equal doses of creativity and technical expertise, school administrators, teachers, parents, and students can harness this power.” Robert Canady and Michael Rettig