A Trimester Schedule that Works: Solutions for Secondary Teaching and Learning

About the Book

A Trimester Schedule that Works is a guidebook for secondary educators who want to maximize teaching and learning opportunities in their schools. The book begins with research that supports a trimester schedule and then begins to help readers understand the change efforts and challenges associated with the redesign of the school day. Several planning tools are included to lead readers through the steps necessary to build the capacity for change and a culture of collaboration. The benefits of the improved schedule are then quickly divulged by the authors - increased time for core content classes, a bonus period for intervention and acceleration activities, opportunities for dual college/vocational education credit, to name a few. Several case studies illustrate how middle and high schools have transformed traditional settings into thriving, high-performing schools, with collaborative teachers and engaged students.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 A Brief Review of the Literature on Various Scheduling Models
Chapter 3 Why Change?
Chapter 4 Beginning the Process of Transitioning to the Trimester
Chapter 5 Dealing with Naysayers
Chapter 6 Challenges and Pitfalls to Consider
Chapter 7 The Nuts and Bolts of Secondary Trimester Schedule
Chapter 8 Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 9 Case Studies
Chapter 10 Conclusion

About the Author :

Robert Brower is a superintendent for the North Montgomery Community School Corporation in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Brower is also a consultant and presenter for many educational issues including: trimester scheduling, discipline in schools, the extended period, leadership topics, and decision-making philosophy.

Colleen Moran is an assistant superintendent for the North Montgomery Community School Corporation in Crawfordsville, Indiana. She has also served as the associate director of the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy and currently teaches courses within the educational leadership masters program at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Review :
This is an excellent, practical guide on implementing an effective school scheduling reform model. The authors' experiences in developing the trimester schedule will assist any school administrator through the journey of improvement and change. The authors have contributed essential knowledge regarding scheduling and its relationship to student success. If teaching and learning needs are your priority, this is a must-read book! Public education is constantly evolving, and new challenges require school administrators to be innovative in the area of scheduling. The trimester model highlighted in this book has systematically changed the learning environment at Northridge Middle School. Through the use of the student resource period, we have drastically reduced our failure rate to 3 percent. This schedule allows all students to be successful. Schools across the nation are searching for reform strategies to improve student achievement. This book offers a strategy to support student learning with increased time-on-task and opportunities for additional learning experiences through the trimester schedule. The authors have lived this experience and provide an excellent resource for educators who want to make a difference for students. The trimester has provided us with the opportunity to try many programs focused on student learning. Two examples are Teacher Supervised Study and Algebra that Works. Without a schedule as flexible as the trimester, we would not be able to utilize these intervention programs. This book will provide you with the details of how the trimester works. And most importantly, it will allow you to see potential in all of your students. The book adequately informs the reader of the obstacles and challenges involved in any change or improvement initiative….Shares information that will help administrators implement any initiative. This book spotlights the magnificent advantages of the trimester schedule by focusing on student-centered learning and how the trimester schedule gives more students the opportunity to truly master many skills. By using this book as a resource about this schedule, schools are most-certain to prosper in the modern world of education. At Avon High School, the band program has won five state championships and two national titles while on the trimester schedule. This success of the band program at our high school demonstrates the effectiveness of the trimester schedule on elective subjects. This book serves as a great reference for schools currently utilizing or considering the trimester schedule. Through this book and the trimester model, our school has been able to meet the needs of our student population more effectively. Our participation in dual college credit courses has more than doubled, and our failure rate for all students has dramatically decreased. The result has been an increase in graduation rate and placement of our graduates at more advanced levels in post-secondary settings.