HIT-->HS Block scheduling effects

[Sandra Lee Parks <sparks@PEN.K12.VA.US>]

Here are the responses I got to my query on the effect block
scheduling had on my library statistics. Thanks -- it's great
having a forum to bounce ideas and concerns around!


Sandy Parks
Harrisonburg High School
Harrisonburg, VA
sparks@pen.k12.va.us


Of course use is down; teachers are trying to fit the
curriculum, and
there is no way they can teach in 2 hr. what they used to in 2,
1-hr.
slots. They call it curriculum compacting, but it means lots of
things
get left out, and media center use can too often be a casualty
when
the teachers feel under the gun.

Reminds me of a summer I taught summer school. We "covered"
every
day in 5 hours 1 week of curriculum, ....right?

The things we do in the name of learning.....

Dana Pope
popeda@heidelberg-emh2.army.mil



Sandy, my school went to a block schedule two years ago.  We
are a 10-12
high school in central Washington state.  We have about 1100
students, 1
certificated librarian and a .75 library secretary.  In the
first year of
the four period day, our circulation doubled and our library use
doubled.  The teachers had more time to bring the class in for
research
projects, was the official theory.  My private observation is
that many
of them didn't know what to do with the kids for 90 minutes so
would
bring them to the library.  I heard this from other librarians
making the
transition to the four period day, too.  Anyway, the four
period day has
been good for our business but I haven't convinced the
administration
that we need to increase the book budget to allow for all the
increased
usage.

There were several things we hadn't thought of, in studying the
block
schedule.  We can no longer hand out overdue materials notices
as we have
in the past.  We used the English teachers to do this and find
that not
all students are taking English in one given semester.  Testing
is
another large problem.  Required testing (state and
federal-mandated
tests) was formerly done in the English classes or in the
government
classes.  Now the testing must be done in the library, because
it is the
only space large enough.  This means we miss up to 10 days a
year of
being able to use the library for its intended use.
I hope I haven't gone on too long.  Please let me now if there
are any
other statistics, etc. I can send to you.  Good luck on working
with your
administration!

Marcia Brown, Librarian - Moses Lake High School - Moses Lake,
WA
mbrown@esd171.wednet.edu



        We have been on the block for about 1 1/2 years now and
our
library use is up--not by huge amounts--assignemnts are better
prepared
with more thought to the students actually doing some quality
work--but
the block is definitely getting mixed reviews in the
building--we had
virtually no curriculum revisions to start it off--so many are
still
thinking in terms of what they used to do with a six period day.
        Paul Christensen
        North Kitsap HS
        Poulsbo, WA

Hi...We cut our school day from 8 periods to 7 peiods way back
when and I
lost 60% of the user count.  Reason:  Kids did not have study
halls to
use for their work and it became dependent upon the classroom
teacher to
book the class into the lmc.  Much more reference was taken
home for
overnight use as a result.  Penalty for late returns next am
was revoking
of borrowing for overnight.  Not much problem from that.  A few
parents
had to drive the book in after the school bus had gone.  If
absent it
could be put on the bus for someone to bring to the library.
Forgetting
became remembering.  We were open 45 min before school and an
hour
afterwards.  Late bus dealt with pm and parents going to work
took care
of am.  Took a while to turn around.   H Jay

Sandy,

My experience with blocks is just the opposite!  We are so busy
that we
hardly have time to take a breath!  I am the certified person
and I have
2 aides (one for me, one for the writing/research lab).  We
just can't
keep up!!!!

Every aspect of library use is up.  One thing that helps is  a
newsletter every now and then where I *list* which teachers are
using the
library and how/what for.

Betty
bhamilt@tenet.edu


Our high school is also in its first year of a 4 period day
where a full
year class is finished in half the year.

We just moved into a new h.s. and our media center includes the
equivalent
of two computer labs.  We have lots of people coming in to use
the
computers, both from study hall and from classes.  We still
have study
halls and we have quite a few students come into the media
center when the
study halls are large.

Unfortunately, we can't compare circulation because last year
we had a k-12
circulation system and this is our first year as a 9-12
circulation system.
 I agree that more materials are used during the period which
may impact
checking out.  I hope it will also reduce the number of things
that are
taken that aren't checked out.

I have also heard teachers say that the quality of work has
improved,
especially in the writing area.  I think we still have some
fine-tuning to
do to help teachers modify their instruction to take advantage
of the
longer periods.

I would really be interested in hearing your responses since I
have been
asked to help write an article on the impact of the 4 period
day on themedia cent
er.
I may be contacting you again in the future.

David Sparks                     dsparks@blueearth.k12.cfa.org
Blue Earth Area Schools          (507) 526-3683
1125 Highway 169 N.
Blue Earth, MN 56013


Sandy, sounds like all in all things look good for you.
Circulation
figures as a fully-rounded picture have always bothered me.
How about
trying a number of users times hours in library figure to paint
a more
accurate picture.  Also: couldn't printouts from SIRS & Encyc
count somehow
as "circulation"?  If students were taking a sheet of paper
from the
Vertical File it would count.

Document the good comments from teachers.  Maybe grades will
back them up.
Then you'll know you're on a roll.  Good going.

Katharine Bruner                        Brown Middle School
brunerk@ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us          Harrison TN


We are on the 4/4 block schedule this year for the first time
and I think usage is up (and it was already high).  Now
elective usage is down...because there simply isn't much 'free'
time in the day and the kids don't have that elective time in
this new schedule. But my teachers are using the lmc more,
longer and earlier than ever before.  I used to have slack time
in the fall.  I counted on it to get all my ordering and
processing done.  Now I have NO slack time cause the kids
finish a whole year in one semester and the teachers in all
disciplines are bringing them in earlier for research and
reading.

Part of it is I added Magills Survey of Science to the network
and the science teachers love it.  Part is the 90 minute blocks
are broken up by a library visit.  Part is speed that we have
to race through with the content...

Anyway, we are on winter break this week and next week start
our new 'year'.  I have not yet caught my breath from last
semester and the lmc sure shows it.  I am getting ready to
start the next round!!  Hear the bell ring!!?Cath
--
Catherine Cheely - ccheely@leo.vsla.edu
Library Media Specialist,Brunswick Senior High,Lawrenceville,
Va.23868
804 848-6287  (fax) 804 848-2796



We are on a block schedule--and have been since the school
opened last year.  Before that, I was in the other high school
without benefit of block scheduling.  I just love it--haven't
noticed that the circulation is lower, but it sure does give me
time for instruction before our students start research.  And
then when I finish they can start on their projects and still
remember what I have told them.  I just hope we don't go back.

Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 07:42:41 -0800 (PST)
From: Larry Parsons <booker@guest.nwnet.net>
Reply-To: Larry Parsons <booker@guest.nwnet.net>
Subject: Re: Block scheduling and library statistics
To: Sandra Lee Parks <sparks@pen.k12.va.us>
Mime-Version: 1.0

Sandy,

Your message sure caught my attention. We, too, are using a
modified
block schedule and have similar results: Circ is WAY down,
class visits
are somewhat down but we seem to have more individuals using the
facility. I need to think about your conclusions. I probably
agree with
them.

I have noticed that I spend more time helping individual
teachers who are
really "into" restructuring by working with their kids to put
together
video and other presentations. For the past three days I worked
with
perhaps 15 kids in one class who did an impressive amount of
research for
a U.S. History class by making "on the street news videos" of
the Gay
90s. If the teacher told THIS group of kids that they had to
use at least
three different sources for a report last year, they would have
grinched and moan
ed and probably a fair number fail the assignment. This time
these kids literally ran to the OPACs and other sources.
Frankly, I was
amazed (and a little bit harried). All in all, pretty neat.

I would love the e-mail addresses of others looking at this
issue.

Larry Parsons
Ocean Beach School District
Long Beach, WA
"Money is not the report card of life."