School schedules are often considered fixed – but they aren’t. Schools can get creative with the schedule and hiring.
Possip teammates round up intriguing ideas to consider to optimize school schedules for the benefit of both students and staff.
Staggered Start Times and Flexible Scheduling
Schedule staggered start times for different grade levels or subjects. Recent research reveals that later start times can benefit middle schoolers, not just high schoolers. This approach can reduce overcrowding in common areas and allow for more personalized attention to students in smaller groups. Additionally, introducing flexible scheduling where teachers have control over certain periods of their day can lead to more effective time management. For instance, teachers could choose when to have their planning period or collaborative time with colleagues. This reduces the intensity of a rigid schedule and allows teachers to work during their most productive hours, improving work-life balance and reducing burnout.
Alternative and Proactive Schedules for Staff Vacancies
Create a modified schedule for each grade level if a teacher was out and there isn’t a substitute that the grade would follow. Or, offer a $50 stipend for a volunteer to cover a class. If no stipend funds are available, recruit the admin team to cover what they can with no stipend. Avoid scheduling electives on Fridays since it can be a high call out day so elective teachers can serve as on-call subs on Fridays.
Dedicated Collaboration and Planning Blocks
Introduce blocks of time specifically dedicated to collaboration among teachers and planning. These blocks would be free from teaching responsibilities and would allow educators to work together on lesson planning, student assessment strategies, and professional development.
This fosters a more collaborative environment, enhances the quality of lesson planning, and provides much-needed time for teachers to focus on curriculum development and student assessment without the added pressure of classroom management. For more ideas on protecting and optimizing planning time, check out “Maximizing Planning Time: A Perspective for Teachers and Administrators”.
Schedule Rotational Teaching Modules with Interdisciplinary Focus
Create rotational teaching modules where teachers work in interdisciplinary teams for certain projects or units. This could involve teachers from different subjects co-teaching or alternating teaching periods to provide a more holistic, integrated learning experience for students.
Teachers can share the workload, gain insights from different disciplines, and bring a richer, more diverse perspective to the classroom. It also allows for more dynamic teaching methods, benefiting both teachers and students, and might help retain high quality staff as they develop their craft.
We hope these ideas have inspired you to think outside the box when it comes to the instructional hours you have with students. We’d love to know what other creative ideas your team has adopted to optimize school schedules! Email us your ideas at hello@possip.com.
