Proposal Essay ENG-240

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Grand Canyon University *

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240

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English

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Proposal Essay Isabella Parks Grand Canyon University Eng-240 Erica Reed 10/29/2023

2 Proposal Essay There are many different ideas out there for improving the school day for students. Parents, teachers, and board members finally realize and are speaking out about the stress students are going through trying to achieve good grades. Students are overwhelmed with all the classes and the homework they have every night. Schools are trying to come up with ideas on how to help them. One of the ideas that has been floating around is the 4x4 block schedule. Schools that have adopted the block schedule are seeing that the block schedule is beneficial, less stressful, and helps teachers in the classroom. Block Scheduling is Beneficial High Schools that follow the 4x4 block schedule can meet the required credits and more set by each state. Many states have increased the required credits to graduate to “24 credits” (Rettig & Canady, 1999). Following the block schedule allows students to split the eight courses they would have for the year into two semesters. They would take four classes in the first semester and four in the last school semester. Students would be in class for longer times to be able to complete the class in a “90-day period, allowing for students to graduate with up to 32 credits” (Rettig & Canady, 1999). Less Stressed Teachers deal with multiple students, while students deal with short periods and tons of homework. Implementing a block schedule in schools reduces the number of students a teacher sees daily, allowing the teacher to better connect with her students that semester. Schools that already follow a block schedule see teachers taking advantage of the extra time by not rushing through their lesson plans. Salas (2022) states that fewer classes and fewer disruptions improve

3 lessons and daily tasks a teacher might do (para. 9). Also, with extended time in class, teachers can give one-on-one attention to more students during independent study time. Schools are seeing their students more willing to attend and participate in the classroom. Another big thing schools are seeing is an increase in “grades and number of kids on the honor roll” (Rettig & Canady, 1999). This is because students have more time to understand what is being taught and will be able to ask questions throughout the lesson. With more time in the classroom, students can do their homework and ask questions if they get stuck. Students can “give more attention to their classes instead of being pulled in multiple directions” ( 5 Benefits of Block Scheduling , n.d.). Helps Teachers Teachers struggle with large class numbers and have little time to complete their lesson plans in the allotted time frame. With the teacher shortages that are being seen, switching to a 4x4 block schedule can help with that. The block schedule will allow teachers to “focus on one subject while seeing fewer students in their classroom” ( 5 Benefits of Block Scheduling , n.d.). Adapting the 4x4 schedule will enable teachers to go into more in-depth lessons that will allow for more critical thinking and deepen the conversations in the classroom. Kerry Benton, a literacy teacher whose school is new to the block schedule, said, “We now have the time to take the lesson one step further and engage with our students” (Walker, 2016). With the traditional schedule that we have now, it is hard to have activities that are fun and engaging that follow a lesson plan, as there is just not enough time in the period. According to Kelly (2019), adapting block scheduling and increasing time in classroom activities can be achieved in one setting (para. 4).

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4 Parent Concerns While many studies have shown there are significant benefits to having a block schedule, there are always concerns among parents about how changing the schedule will impact their children. Many parents believe changing the school day will be a negative experience for their children. They fear their children “will have difficulty staying focused and engaged in a 90- minute class” (Walker, 2016). One of the more significant concerns that parents have when it comes to this schedule is what happens when a student misses’ class. With being in class for a more extended period every day, there is a lot of material that is gone over. According to Kelly (2019), students who miss one day are missing two days (para. 5). The last thing that parents are questioning and have concerns about is whether students can retain the information that is being taught in both “math and foreign languages” (Rettig & Canady, 1999). That information is still being studied at this time. How To Make It Work While switching to the 4x4 block schedule can be challenging for schools there are some things that they can do to help make the process easier. Schools that take the time to listen to the students, parents, and teachers can work together to help fix the problems that arise. Another way to help move to the process is to take it slow and not jump right in. The last and biggest thing schools can do to help teachers be successful with the switch to longer class periods is to make sure they have the proper training and make time for professional development days. !!!GO BACK THROUGH AND FIND INFO!!!! Implementing a 4x4 block schedule would be beneficial for our school going forward. Block scheduling helps reduce the amount of stress that both teachers and students face on a daily basis. It allows for more time in the classroom for in-depth learning and activities that are sometimes non-existent with a traditional style schedule. Through the evidence that was found

5 students who have this type of schedule thrive and schools are seeing higher numbers in grades and attendance. Studies have been done to show that there are great successes in schools that have already implemented this type of schedule. I am confident that our school can be successful too.

6 References 5 Benefits of block scheduling . (n.d.). https://www.masterofartsinteaching.net/lists/5-benefits-of- block-scheduling/ Kelly, M. (2019, July 29). The pros and cons of block schedules . ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/class-block-scheduling-pros-and-cons-6460 Rettig, M., & Canady, R. L. (1999, March 1). The effects of block scheduling . Default. https://www.aasa.org/resources/resource/the-effects-of-block-scheduling Salas, R. (2022, June 22). Education Advanced, Inc. Education Advanced, Inc. https://educationadvanced.com/resources/blog/the-block-schedule-system-7-pros-and-3- cons/ Walker, T. (2016, March 4). Are block schedules the Stress-Buster students need? | NEA . https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/are-block-schedules-stress-buster- students-need

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Proposal Essay ENG-240

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