In keeping with its philosophy of continued school-wide improvement to increase student achievement, SSA implemented a unique educational delivery system referred to as “4x4 block scheduling” in 1996. The block scheduling movement has served as a powerful vehicle in our movement towards teaching students in a way that they learn best – expanding time for students to experience and reinforce learning. The 4x4 block schedule is similar to the college semester plan. The school day is divided into four instructional blocks of 90 minutes each, and the school year is divided into two semesters. During the first semester, students are enrolled in four courses which meet daily. Instruction, which previously had been stretched over the course of an entire 180-day school year, is now compressed into one semester of 90-minute block periods. At the end of the fall semester, students receive credit for each course successfully completed and enroll in four additional courses for the spring semester. Implementation of the block schedule makes the school environment less stressful and more pleasant for both students and teachers.
In the 4x4 schedule, the classroom is transformed into an interactive field of study filled with positive learning experiences. Within a given class period there is time available for the curriculum to be shaped by the knowledge needed to solve real-life problems or to complete authentic work tasks. Evaluation is based on the solution process and the quality alternative assessments used to document student performance relative to performance rubrics. Information comes from a variety of sources so that students can formulate their own ideas and answers concerning real-life situations. Teaching is student-centered and instruction is varied, making it easier to accommodate students with learning difficulties or differing learning styles.
Teachers design the learning environment to allow students to become active learners who collaborate with others in problem-solving situations. Thinking critically is made easier because there is a heightened awareness of the learning process. Students become better managers of information thus making it easier for them to apply their newly-acquired knowledge to the appropriate situations. They assume an increased responsibility for learning and become self-directed learners for life.
In the 4x4 scheduling system, students DIRECTLY benefit from the following:
Less information to manage and organize over the course of a school day,
Fewer homework assignments on any given day during the week,
More time within each class period to allow for longer cooperative learning activities or laboratory activities in science classes,
Use of lunch blocks to participate in extracurricular activities,
Individualized, quality instruction,
Exposure to a variety of instructional techniques and assessments,
Ability to learn a subject in greater depth,
A reduction in the number of distractions and class changes,
The building of stronger relationships between students, peers, and teachers,
The opportunity to take more courses throughout their high school years.
Since SSA has implemented the 4x4 block scheduling system, additional enthusiasm for learning has been displayed by students and encouraged by teachers. As a result, students become LESS passive and MORE engaged in their learning. The longer periods give teachers more time to plan for quality instruction; a stronger consideration is given to the various learning modalities among the student body thus a wider variety of instructional activities are being utilized in the classrooms. Furthermore, the students are afforded the opportunity to take more academic electives during their high school career. Together, these benefits help to sculpt the students into confident young women who are ready to pursue their college endeavors.
