NOTE TO EDITOR:  This release describes block scheduling, a method
of organizing subjects during the school day, now in use in the
following Virginia school districts:  Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta,
Fairfax, Hanover, Louisa, Orange and Rockingham counties. 


AUTHOR SPARKS EDUCATIONAL CHANGE IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 25 -- Most American public
schools will discard the traditional 50-minute class period within
the next decade and convert to a system that reduces the dropout
rate, improves teaching efficiency and raises student morale and
achievement, says a University of Virginia educator.
	Already adopted by more than 1,000 schools nationwide, the
"block scheduling" system proposed by education professor Robert
Lynn Canady allows students to spend extended periods of time in
fewer classes each term. An expert in elementary scheduling for more
than 35 years, Canady has worked extensively during the past 10
years with school districts in 25 states and independent schools in
Germany to develop models that allow school administrators and
teachers to "reclaim the school day for learning."
	Canady now spends much of his time helping educators
implement block scheduling in school districts across the nation. To
meet the demands of interested school administrators, Canady has
produced two videos and this month will release a book, "Block
Scheduling: A Catalyst For Change in High Schools," that details
eight different models for organizational change in American high
schools. Canady hopes schools will use the book, which is
co-authored by Michael D. Rettig, education professor at James
Madison University, to create scheduling models that will decrease
student failure rates and discipline problems. Canady suggests that
schools gather a year's worth of data before making substantive
schedule changes.
 	"Approximately 60 to 70 percent of discipline problems in
schools occur when you have a
large number of students lingering in hallways," Canady said. "When
they have five minutes to get to their lockers, go to the bathroom
and get a date, that is when they start pushing, punching, poking
and hitting."
	By reducing the amount of time students spend between
classes, the block scheduling system significantly reduces
discipline problems, according to Canady. More time in the classroom
also allows for extended and focused learning periods. "Science
teachers have time to complete their labs and students have time to
enjoy a volleyball game during physical education and still have
time to shower."
	Another advantage to block scheduling is that drop-out rates
appear to decline. With longer classes and shorter semesters,
teachers get the most out of their instruction-time and students
with academic problems do not get as discouraged if they can repeat
classes during the school year, Canady said. "Psychologically it
helps students to have several starting and ending points throughout
the year." Canady is finding block scheduling can be particularly
helpful in improving success rates in ninth grade, especially in
algebra and English, traditionally courses with high failure rates.
	Canady's videos will be shown during "Education Week" at the
University of Virginia on April 28.
###
April 25, 1995

	FOR MORE INFORMATION contact the Curry School of Education's
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at (804)
924-3880.