Project staff selected a random sample of Wisconsin secondary schools that have used a
block schedule for the previous four or more years and a random sample that used a
traditional schedule for the previous four or more years. Both traditionally scheduled
schools and block scheduled schools were stratified according to size (small, medium and
large) prior to sample selection. For purposes of this study, "small schools"
are those enrolling 299 or fewer students; "medium size schools" enroll 300 -
699 students; and "large schools" enroll 700 or more students. Twelve schools
were selected during the 1999-2000 school year, and eight additional schools were selected
during the 2000-2001 school year using the same procedures.
The study focused on 12th graders because the block schedule sample experienced that
approach for their entire secondary education, and because student and district records
will include nearly four years of data on variables of interest. From the sample schools'
pool of twelfth graders, project staff drew a random sample of special education students
stratified across exceptionality categories and a random sample non special education
twelfth graders. From the pool of educators serving the twelfth graders in the sample
schools, project staff selected a random sample of staff, stratified across block and
traditional schedules and across employment roles: teaching (academic, vocational and
special education); administration; counseling; and paraprofessional (educational
assistant/support staff). Figure 1 summarizes the sample used in this study.
Figure
1
Sample
for Block vs. Traditional Study
Student Sample
(These individuals completed or
otherwise ended their secondary experience during/at the close of the 1999-2000 and
2000-2001 school years.)
BLK.
SCHED. Sp Ed* Non Sp Ed TRAD. SCHED.
Sp Ed* Non
Sp Ed
Small (5 sites) 11
62 Small (7 sites) 21
93
Medium (4 sites)
22
75 Medium (2 sites) 10
49
Large (3 sites)
51
107
Large
(3 sites) 45
74
Total
n/category 84
244
76
216
*Sp Ed
is defined as a student who receives special Education Services
Total special education n = 160; total non special ed n = 460; total student n
= 620
Staff SampLE
Following Block Schedule
Sp. Ed. Acad. Voc. Ed.
Admin. Coun. Ed. Ass.
PE
Small (5 sites) 11
22
12
1
5 0
2
Medium (4 sites)
13
13
7
3
4
4
0
Large (3 sites) 14
15
14
2
5 4
0
Totals [Blk] 38
50 33
6
14 8
2
Following
Traditional Schedule
Sp. Ed. Acad.
Voc. Ed. Admin.
Coun. Ed. Ass. PE
Small (7 sites)
8
23 16
3 3
3 3
Medium (2 sites) 3
9
2
1
1
1 1
Large (3 sites)
8
16
12
2
3
3 3
Totals [Trad.] 19
48
30
6
7 7 7
TOTALS/CAT. 57
98
63
12
21
15
9
Total staff n = 275
