Late last week a team of Homestead faculty members, along with a district-level administrator, a School Board member and me, visited two high-performing high schools in Michigan. Both schools, Seaholm in the Birmingham School District and North Farmington in the Farmington Hills School District, are in their fourth year of implementing the five-period trimester schedule. Currently, over one-third of all public high schools in Michigan are organized on the trimester.
The visits went off as planned, with team members having open access to administrators, support staff, students, school board members, counselors and teachers in the host schools. On both one-day visits, team members conducted spontaneous and scheduled one-on-one and/or group interviews with students and job-alike peers, visited classrooms, heard from the schools' principals, and learned about student performance data. Team members asked page upon page of questions and took extensive notes; the visits were truly rich learning experiences, ones that exeeded all of our expectations.
As we knew before scheduling the school visits, many high schools in Michgan transitioned to the trimester schedule in response to one or both of two conditions: revised state-mandated graduation requirements and/or significant budget reductions. Faculty members and administrators at both Seaholm and North Farmington were open about the fact that had circumstances not changed, each school would still be on its previous schedule (a seven-period modified block schedule in which classes met three times weekly, once for 50 minutes and twice for 90 minutes). The transition to the trimester was driven by necessity, not pure preference. As such, we expected some if not many people--especially those people still struggling to adjust to this change--to express mixed feelings about the trimester. As anticipated, we learned, as the saying goes, the good, the bad, and the ugly about the schedule during our visits.
On Friday of this week, members of the site visit team will share their findings with the HSST in greater detail. Out of respect for that group and its work, I am not providing any of that information here until after Friday's meeting. Nonetheless, I do know that members of the site visit team have been sharing informaton with students and teachers regularly. Over the course of my day today, for example, a number of teachers and counselors asked me about what I learned last week and about my reactions to what I saw and heard. I am confident that these inquiries were made to all other team members and will continue to be made in the days ahead.
While I will refrain from sharing details from the visit for the time-being, I will say that at the end of the trip all members of the team were informally polled, being asked one question: "Given what you learned over the past two days, should the five-period trimester remain a schedule of interest for the HSST?" While some people's opinions were stronger than others, all team members agreed that the trimester should continue to be investigated closely. It remains a schedule of high interest.
On Friday, the HSST will formalize next steps in the study process. Those next steps are all but sure to include two additional site visits. Those separate one-day visits will be to Neenah High School and West DePere High School, two solid schools in Wisconsin that currently implement the trimester, Neenah for the past 15 years and West DePere for the past seven. Unlike many of the schools in Michigan, Neenah and West DePere moved to the trimester schedule purely based on research, study and preference. They were not driven to the schedule by outside forces; as such, the visits are likely to have somewhat of a different tone than those that occurred in Michigan last week. Still, I expect a balanced appraisal of the trimester schedule and its impact on teaching and learning.
In later posts, I will provide details about the major findings and take-aways from the Michigan visits.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Details About One of the Site Visits
Below, please find the agenda for our group's upcoming visit to North Farmington High School on February 10; a similar agenda is being developed for our February 11 visit to Seaholm High School:
7:45 a.m. Welcome/Meet and Greet/Intro Comments:
“Trimesters at a Glance”…Rick Jones, Principal
Location: Media Center
8:15 a.m. Break-out Sessions by Job-alike Groups:
**Board of Education…Howard Wallach and Priscilla Brouillette
**Building Administration…Rick Jones
**Faculty
English…Kristina Avant and Parker Salowich
Social Studies…Jim Demko and Derek Day
Science…Dave Ruehl
Special Education…Chris DeYonke
Math…Jeff Simpson
World Language…Lisa Diponio
Counseling…Lynn Maher
Music…Mike Yoskovich and Shari Jaffurs
Technology…Steve Deeb
9:00 a.m. Classroom Observations:
Technology (Autos): Dave Verbeke
Science (Physics): Todd Hecker
English (Honors Eng 10): Tim Carruthers
Math (Statistics): Jill Gordon
Social Studies (Econ Reg 9): Dan Chomet
World Languages (Spanish III): Lisa DiPonio
Music (Symphony Band): Mike Yoskovich
Special Education (Eng 11/team teaching): Chris DeYonke
10:15 a.m Early Lunch
Location: Media Center
11:00 a.m. Subject Area Break-out Conversations
Location: Media Center
**Tech…Dave Verbeke
**Math…Gary Umlauf
**Science…Peggy Najarian
**Social Studies…Todd Schultz
**English/Journalism…Nikki Schueller
**WorldLanguages…Elias Khalil
**Music…Peter Tolias
**Special Education…Kim Collins and Pat Jordan
11:30 a.m. Q & A with Students (Six per Grade Level)
Location: Media Center
12:00 p.m. SupportingTrimesters
Location: Media Center
**FPS Data on Trimesters…Jon Manier, Director of Curriculum
**Support Services: Building School Culture, Tutorials, Professional Development, etc.
Dee Ann Lacy, Assistant Principal
**Student Scheduling Concerns…Counseling Department
**Building the Master Schedule…Phil Pittman, Assistant Principal; Mark Wilson, District
Director of Instruction
**LINK (Ninth Grade Transitions)…Kevin Ozar
**Drop-in on Classes (optional for any team members)
1:00 p.m. Reflection/Debriefing
2:00 p.m. Closing Q & A
The Michigan Trip: Why and How?
Recently, some people have asked both how and/or why members of the faculty are visiting benchmark high schools in Michigan next week.
Regarding why the trip was organized, a major change in a school's schedule like moving from a seven-period semester schedule to a five-period trimester schedule represents a fundamental reconsideration of how the business of education is done. It cannot and should not be taken lightly. Out of respect for the magnitude of this possible change, school officials and HSST members believe that seeing this schedule in action and engaging in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders in top-notch schools that use the 3x5 is an essential component of our study and consideration process.
When MTSD moved to the six-period day three years ago, that decision was made for budgetary reasons alone. Research into the most educationally sound means for reducing faculty staffing costs was not done; questions about the long-term impact of that schedule change may have been posed or even discussed but they were never closely studied. Today, we are doing the type of study that should have occurred several years ago but that did not for several reasons. The schedule that the HSST recommends this spring (assuming that it recommends a change and that the change can be negotiated with the School Board and teachers union) will remain in place at Homestead for the next many years. We need to do this work right, being thoughtful, diligent, and attentive to all relevant details.
Regarding the question of financing the trip, money for the site visits is coming from three sources: federal Title II dollars (money that districts must earmark for staff development and training), the annual Staff Development budget at the district level, and the annual substitute budget. The funds for this trip are existing dollars in the 2010-2011 budget. As an aside, please know that school and district officials are doing everything possible to conduct this business in the most financially responsible manner.
Regarding why the trip was organized, a major change in a school's schedule like moving from a seven-period semester schedule to a five-period trimester schedule represents a fundamental reconsideration of how the business of education is done. It cannot and should not be taken lightly. Out of respect for the magnitude of this possible change, school officials and HSST members believe that seeing this schedule in action and engaging in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders in top-notch schools that use the 3x5 is an essential component of our study and consideration process.
When MTSD moved to the six-period day three years ago, that decision was made for budgetary reasons alone. Research into the most educationally sound means for reducing faculty staffing costs was not done; questions about the long-term impact of that schedule change may have been posed or even discussed but they were never closely studied. Today, we are doing the type of study that should have occurred several years ago but that did not for several reasons. The schedule that the HSST recommends this spring (assuming that it recommends a change and that the change can be negotiated with the School Board and teachers union) will remain in place at Homestead for the next many years. We need to do this work right, being thoughtful, diligent, and attentive to all relevant details.
Regarding the question of financing the trip, money for the site visits is coming from three sources: federal Title II dollars (money that districts must earmark for staff development and training), the annual Staff Development budget at the district level, and the annual substitute budget. The funds for this trip are existing dollars in the 2010-2011 budget. As an aside, please know that school and district officials are doing everything possible to conduct this business in the most financially responsible manner.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Upcoming Site Visits
As part of our ongoing effort to conduct a thorough and thoughtful investigation into schedule options, last week I confirmed site visits to two high-performing schools within our region that currently implement the 3x5 (five-period trimester) schedule. On February 10 and 11, a team of faculty members and administrators will be visiting North Farmington and Seaholm High Schools in the suburban Detroit/Pontiac area. Both of these schools are of a similar size and make-up to Homestead, and both could be considered regional academic benchmarks to our school. If you are interested in learning more about either site, please visit their websites, which I posted in a previous entry.
The team representing Homestead and MTSD is as follows:
During each day-long site visit, our team will have the opportunity to observe classes, talk with job-alike peers about questions surrounding 3x5 planning and implementation, learn about the scope of curricula delivered in the 3x5 schedule within specific disciplines, investigate student achievement data (AP, ACT, etc.) before and after implementation of the 3x5, and talk with students about their perceptions of the schedule. The principals at both North Farmington and Seaholm have been extremely generous with their time and effort in planning the upcoming visits, and I have high hopes for the professional learning that we will do while on these school campuses.
As background, like many other high schools in and outside of Michigan, North Farmington and Seaholm have faced significant budgetary challenges in the past several years. Each of the schools, which are located in separate districts, moved to the 3x5 schedule four years ago for cost savings purposes. As it was described to me by their principals, the trimester schedule was chosen because it allowed school and district officials to control staffing costs while maintaining a commitment to student choice and high academic achievement.
Again, I look forward to learning more about the 3x5 schedule firsthand in the coming weeks and to sharing that information with members of our school community.
The team representing Homestead and MTSD is as follows:
- Eric Dimmitt, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment *
- Brett Bowers, Principal *
- Suzette Urbashich, School Board President *
- Jill McElroy, Director of Counseling *
- Kristi Ribar, Math Teacher *
- Fritz Rauch, English Teacher
- Tony Navarre, Special Education Teacher
- Chris Schultz, Science Teacher *
- Susan Lueders, Social Studies Teacher *
- Ryan Volke, Applied Technology/Project Lead the Way Teacher
- Todd Spindler, Band Teacher *
- Helen Caldwell, World Language (Spanish) Teacher *
During each day-long site visit, our team will have the opportunity to observe classes, talk with job-alike peers about questions surrounding 3x5 planning and implementation, learn about the scope of curricula delivered in the 3x5 schedule within specific disciplines, investigate student achievement data (AP, ACT, etc.) before and after implementation of the 3x5, and talk with students about their perceptions of the schedule. The principals at both North Farmington and Seaholm have been extremely generous with their time and effort in planning the upcoming visits, and I have high hopes for the professional learning that we will do while on these school campuses.
As background, like many other high schools in and outside of Michigan, North Farmington and Seaholm have faced significant budgetary challenges in the past several years. Each of the schools, which are located in separate districts, moved to the 3x5 schedule four years ago for cost savings purposes. As it was described to me by their principals, the trimester schedule was chosen because it allowed school and district officials to control staffing costs while maintaining a commitment to student choice and high academic achievement.
Again, I look forward to learning more about the 3x5 schedule firsthand in the coming weeks and to sharing that information with members of our school community.
Monday, January 17, 2011
What is the 3x5 Schedule?
Since working with schedule consultant Mike Rettig in late November, the HSST has been investigating a five-period trimester (otherwise known as a 3x5) schedule. Again, this is a schedule of high interest, not the only schedule up for consideration.
Key elements of the 3x5 schedule include the following:
Key elements of the 3x5 schedule include the following:
- On the trimester schedule, the academic year of 180 days is separated into three 60-day grading periods called trimesters; currently, the school year is divided into two 90-day semesters.
- On the trimester schedule, students receive official grades that are recorded on their transcript three times a year; currently, transcripted grades are earned twice in a school year (January and June).
- On the trimester schedule, students can enroll in up to five classes in a term; currently, students can take up to seven classes at one time.
- On the trimester schedule, Homestead teachers would teach four classes and have one 70-minute preparation period daily; currently, they teach six classes and have one 50-minute preparation period each day.
- On the trimester schedule, class periods are approximately 70 minutes long; currently, each period lasts 50 minutes.
- On the trimester schedule, students can earn up to 7.5 credits per year; currently, students can earn up to 7.0 credits in an academic year.
- On the trimester schedule, current year-long classes would run for two or three trimesters. Current semester-long classes would run for one or two trimesters.
As is the case with any schedule, the 3x5 schedule presents both benefits and challenges to students, teachers, and the school. As such, the HSST is investigating it carefully.
Since December, I have conducted phone interviews of principals working at schools in and outside of Wisconsin that teach on the 3x5 schedule. Site visits to some of those schools will be happening in February, with results of those visits being shared with the HSST, parents, students, and the Homestead faculty in February and March.
For your information, the following schools in Wisconsin and Michigan currently teach on the trimester schedule (note that this list is not comprehensive):
- Neenah High School (Neenah, WI): www.neenah.k12.wi.us/nhs/
- West DePere High School (West DePere, WI): www.wdpsd.com/high/
- Seaholm High School (Birmingham, MI): www.seaholm.birmingham.schoolfusion.us
- Groves High School (Birmingham, MI): www.groves.birmingham.schoolfusion.us
- North Farmington High School (Farmington Hills, MI): www.farmington.k12.mi.us/nfhs
- Saline High School (Saline, MI): hs.salineschools.com
- Spring Lake High School (Spring Lake, MI): www.springlakeschools.org/high
So long as the 3x5 remains a schedule of interest for the HSST, I will continue to provide information about this approach to organizing the school day and year.
Schedules of Interest
The HSST met again on Friday afternoon, January 14 to discuss ongoing schedule research and to finalize a course of action for the next one to two months. Based on Friday's work, the group is committed to the following course of action:
- Continue to investigate the five-period trimester schedule as a viable option for Homestead.
- Continue to table other schedule options like an eight-period day (in which teachers teach six classes) until more research into the trimester schedule can be done.
- When research into the trimester schedule is complete, compare its pros and cons with the current schedule and other possible schedules that have been put aside for the time being.
Some people who have heard about the school's investigation into the trimester schedule are under the false impression that this schedule is the only one being considered. That is not the case. Nonetheless, because the trimester schedule is so different from our current one, it requires more extensive research to be best understood.
Parents, students, and faculty may have heard that the team was investigating the hybrid 4x4 block schedule (four grading terms [each nine weeks long], with students taking up to four classes per term [classes being approximately 90 minutes long]) as an option to be considered. As of Friday, the 4x4 block schedule is no longer being considered. Primarily, it was eliminated for financial reasons; based on recent inquiries to schools in the Upper Midwest that teach on the 4x4, team members determined that the 4x4 is not a schedule that the District could likely sustain given our current financial constraints.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Determining Viable Schedule Options
After the HSST began its work earlier this fall, team members unanimously agreed that thoroughly investigating cost-neutral alternatives to our current schedule would be difficult if not impossible without the assistance of an expert. After coming to that determination, the school district retained the services of scheduling consultant Dr. Michael Rettig.
Dr. Rettig is the founder of School Scheduling Associates, LLC (www.schoolschedulingassociates.com). He spent 15 years as a professor in the College of Education and Director of the Center for School Leadership at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He retired from JMU as Professor Emeritus in June 2006 to work full-time with schools across the country. Dr. Rettig has served as a consultant on school scheduling issues in 41 states with over 750 school districts nationally and internationally. He also has conducted hundreds of workshops and has authored or co-authored numerous articles and books on school scheduling and related topics.
After Thanksgiving Dr. Rettig spent a full day with the HSST, outlining alternatives to our current schedule as he saw them and discussing any options that might be implementable here at Homestead without hiring additional faculty. Based on his feedback and the group's processing of the information that he provided, the HSST has narrowed its investigation to two preferred schedules at this time. In future blog postings I will outline these options and the research/study process that the HSST developed to investigate these schedules.
Dr. Rettig is the founder of School Scheduling Associates, LLC (www.schoolschedulingassociates.com). He spent 15 years as a professor in the College of Education and Director of the Center for School Leadership at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He retired from JMU as Professor Emeritus in June 2006 to work full-time with schools across the country. Dr. Rettig has served as a consultant on school scheduling issues in 41 states with over 750 school districts nationally and internationally. He also has conducted hundreds of workshops and has authored or co-authored numerous articles and books on school scheduling and related topics.
After Thanksgiving Dr. Rettig spent a full day with the HSST, outlining alternatives to our current schedule as he saw them and discussing any options that might be implementable here at Homestead without hiring additional faculty. Based on his feedback and the group's processing of the information that he provided, the HSST has narrowed its investigation to two preferred schedules at this time. In future blog postings I will outline these options and the research/study process that the HSST developed to investigate these schedules.
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