Sched%20Com%20-%20FINAL%202.12.24%20Schedule%20Committee%20Board%20Packet.pdf

Parent document: Business Board Meeting-01-27-2025.pdf

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Sultan SD Secondary Schedule Committee
2023-2024

Introduction

Introduction of Committee

Who are we

We are a collaborative team including a variety of perspectives/expertise and reached out to additional
perspectives throughout the year.

e Laura Breen, SHS Assistant Principal

e Paul Douglas, SSD Assistant Superintendent

e Andrea Garibay, SHS Counselor

e Kim Gilreath, SMS Assistant Principal

e Gigi Gouldner, SSD School Board Director

e Brianne Loomis, SSD Technology TOSA

e Crystal Plotkin, SSD HR Director

e Katie Power, SHS PE & Health Teacher, ASB Advisor, Coach
e Kimbra Smith, SMS ELA Teacher

e Nate Trichler, SHS CTE Teacher, Coach

What we were tasked to do

MOU: “During the 2023-24 school year the District will study data on the seven-period day and consider
in good faith whether to change the current secondary schedule.

This committee will:

e Comprise an equal number of SEA appointed and District appointed members.

e Have their first meeting prior to September 30, 2023

e Meet regularly, at least once every two weeks (excluding school breaks), until the conclusion of
their work.

e Examine multiple modes of data.

e Make recommendations for any changes to the secondary schedule [high school] ready for
approval by January 15, 2024 to be implemented for the 2024-2025 school year”

Our process

Beginning in September, we’ve met over 10 times and spent over 30 hours together. We identified our
non-negotiables, created rubrics, researched schedule types, analyzed schedules using our rubrics,
narrowed our scope and then evaluated for viability. Together, we identified 2-3 schedules that would
best serve our students and brought in additional stakeholders for insight. We feel confident that our
recommendation is aligned to our non-negotiables and will help create a successful educational
environment for our students. The non-negotiables were:

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Schedule must promote student learning

Schedule must be supported by data/research/evidence

Fiscally responsible

Sustainable wellness for students and staff

Promote extra supports for underserved/underperforming students

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Our Recommendation

We ask the Board to consider our proposal to change from the current 7-period day to a “Ax4+”
schedule at SHS. Below details our work, findings, and suggestions for next steps. Thank you for your
consideration.

Current Schedule

7-period Schedule
In 2017, OSPI changed the graduation requirement from 22 credits to 24 credits. In response, the Sultan
Board of Directors implemented a 7-period schedule at SHS offering 28 credits.

Students take 7 classes a semester, each worth 0.5 credit.

Concerns with 7 Period Day
While the 7 period day works for some students, several concerns with the existing schedule led us to
this review process. Some challenges and drawbacks include:

e Student fatigue

e Limited time within class for in-depth learning

e Difficulty managing multiple classes

e Lack of student engagement

e High F rate

e Too many transitions in the school day gives more opportunity for student behavior problems.
Kids have more opportunity to roam.

e Students with IEPs and ML classes have less access to career exploration and preparation
courses.

e Anecdotal Evidence: students have requested to enroll in SVO because 7 periods is ‘too much’
and they heard SVO only is 3 at a time.

e Anecdotal Evidence: “I can fail one class a semester”

New Schedule
Proposed 4-Period 4x4 Block Schedule:

The 4X4 means that each student will take 4 classes a semester and the semester class would equal 1
full credit. This model takes a yearlong class and transitions it into a semester class, with longer class
periods. Each class will be about 80 minutes and students will get new formerly yearlong classes at the
next semester. Teachers would be teaching 3 of the 4 daily. To address the need for some yearlong
courses, we saw examples of schools who have adopted this schedule using a split period. This schedule
offers students 32 credits in four years, compared to our current 28 offering. See Appendix for sample
bell schedule for reference.

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Turk Time

In combination with the 4x4 block, the recommended schedule includes a shorter period, four days a
week to provide additional support structures for students. Tentatively named “Turk Time,” this time
will be intentionally used for:

e Additional interventions in the school day

e Student enrichment activities like assemblies, clubs, etc.

e Increasing equitable access to clubs

e Supporting executive function needs

e Integrating school wide supports and lessons (counseling programs, etc.)
e Supporting PLC, common planning and teaming

Benefits
When considering the 4x4+ Block schedule for our students, the following potential benefits, or pros,
where identified:

e Increased focus, engagement, and deeper learning
e Improved student well-being
e More opportunities for enrichment
e Supports and aligns to District goals
© current PLC work
o AVID
o Access to rigor and higher level course,
o Inclass intervention time for at risk students/IEP/504/ML
o Increase ability to provide meaningful differentiation.
e =Aligns with School Board goals and mission
e Increase opportunity to build relationships in the classrooms
e Opportunities to provide continuum of services within the general education classroom (ML,

IEP, etc.)
o More Tier 1 and Tier 2 intervention time within the day, and general education
classrooms

e More manageable workload for students with 4 classes vs 7

e Increase in higher level courses at the high school so students don't have to go to Running Start
or other programs to access these. Keeping the FTE in Sultan School District

e Increase access to take more elective/career exploration courses

e Increase access to additional services (mental health, drug/alcohol), without falling behind in
courses. Aligns with School Improvement Plan

e Increase opportunity for CTE Pathways in building

o Astudent can complete a CTE Graduation Pathway in one year! This supports on-time
graduation.
e Increase communication with parents (meetings, phone calls, IEPs, 504s)

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e Decrease absences due to stronger relationships, fewer classes, and greater accountability

e Students have more math coursework prior to SBA test (potential for more success)

e Increase student engagement through the plc process allowing staff to identify deficits,
additional enrichment, instructional strategies and increase rigor.

e Extensive training around instruction, assessments, differentiation etc.

e Access to collaborate with colleagues through the PLC process and teaming during the day

e Provides more time for quality Tier 1 planning

Evidence and Research

The committee reviewed articles, researched other district schedule types, reviewed the District 7
period day study presented to the Board in the Fall, and reviewed previous committee work, including
surveys and pass/fail data. Here are some of the articles used in our process:

How to Build a Better Secondary School Schedule | DM Group (dmgroupk12.com

High School Schedule Types: Eight Popular Choices | Education Advanced, Inc.
The Schedule Won't Let Us Devote Time to Intervention | All Things PLC | Powered by Solution Tree
The Block Schedule System: 7 Pros and 3 Cons | Education Advanced, Inc.

The Effects of Block Scheduling | AASA

2023-2024 Course Registration | Cascade High School (cascadesd.org)
College & Career Readiness Task Force (2015-17) - Lake Washington School District (Iwsd.org)

Additionally, the committee gathered anecdotal evidence and insight from districts using the
intervention time and/or block schedule.

Implementation Plan

With our recommendation, we want to emphasis the importance of intentional, thoughtful
implementation. In our committee, we’ve identified areas to consider for implementation. We
recognize our list is not comprehensive and additional work needs to be completed for a successful roll
out. We trust the High School Leadership team to work and carry the planning forward with
collaboration of stakeholders. The implementation committee will need to address logistical
considerations (e.g., scheduling adjustments, student and parent communication, lunches, ALE staff and
schedule, roll out of PD), implementation timeline, training, community involvement, and graduation
requirements transition plan.

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Conclusion

Through our research, we understand that no schedule is perfect, but we believe our best way forward

to support our students is implementing a 4x4+ schedule at Sultan High School. This meets the needs of
the 24-credit graduation requirement, provides students more choice and opportunity, allows for more
focused and deeper learning, and increases equitable access for students in our ML and SpEd programs

to participate in career exploration and elective courses.

In addition to our recommendation to change to a 4x4+ Block Schedule for SHS, we offer a few next
steps for consideration. If selected, we encourage the District and Board to reevaluate the SHS credit
requirement for graduation to more appropriately match the greater number of credits available. We
also recommend an implementation team works on next steps to roll the schedule out in a thoughtful
way, reflective of stakeholder needs.

Appendix

Non Negotiables
The schedule must....

promote student learning

be supported by data/research/evidence

be fiscally responsible

promote sustainable wellness for students and staff

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promote extra supports for underserved/underperforming students

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Rubric

Sultan SD Rubric to Evaluate Secondary Schedule Options Schedule Model:

Criteria & Features

Pros

Student Equity

* Ensure that all students can access the educational opportunities

that meet their needs

* Benefit all students, including students with special needs on IEPs

and 504s, ELLs, and high achieving students

College & Career Readiness

* Ensure that all students earn credits needed to graduate on time,

prepared for a post-secondary pathway

Ensure flexibility and student choice in the exploration of their
interests and pathways

Provide student access to other programs — Running Start, Sno-Isle,
RAP, etc. (make sure schedule supports ability to attend)

* Support student success for post-graduation pathways via planning

and opportunities (career interest, electives, internships)

Instructional Day: Teachers

Structure the school day to ensure efficient and effective use of
student and teacher time

Balance length of class periods with number of times per week a
class meets

Ensure enough time in a period for meaningful learning, student
processing, and reflection

Align with effective teaching practices that optimize learning:
retaining learning from class to class, year to year, ex: Math, WL, or
AP classes.

Provide adequate planning time, preps, daily student load

Instructional Day: Students

Structure the school day to ensure efficient and effective use of
student and teacher time (transition time)

Ensure flexibility and student choice in the exploration of their
interests and pathways

Provide at least 24 credit opportunities to explore interests and
retrieve (work towards extra credits

Promote positive well-being for students (balancing workload}
Provide opportunities for students to seek and receive help, support,
and enrichment during the school day

Provide opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular

activities

Flexibility

Provide flexible time to meet the needs of individual students and
the school community during the school day

Provide opportunities for intervention, credit retrieval during the
school day

Provide for after school extra-curricular activities, sports, clubs, jobs,

etc.

o Su

Operational Systems

Ensure feasibility with district operations and systems:
o Budget
© Transportation

pport staff

o Data systems
0 Technology
Will complete additional feasibility spreadsheet

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Sample DRAFT Bell Schedule
Intervention Day

P Time Minutes
Ast 7:45-9:05 80
and 9:10-10:30 80
Lunch 1 10:30-11:00 30
3rd 11:05-12:25 80
Intervention | 12:30-1:00 30
4h 1:05--2:28 83
P Time Minutes
Ast 7:45-9:05 80
ana 9:10-10:30 80
3rd 10:35-11:55 80
Lunch 2 11:55-12:25 30
Intervention | 12:30-1:00 30
gm 1:05--2:28 83
Brochure

Will hand out a hard copy at board meeting as well

SCORING
CRITERIA

COMMITTEE
MEMBERS

Paul Douglas, Assistant Superintendent
Gigi Gouldner, School Board Director
Crystal Plotkin, HR Director
nities for Kim Gilreath, SMS Assistant Principal
Laura Breen, SHS Assistant Principal
Kimbra Smith, SMS ELA Teacher
Brianne Loomis, SSD Technology TOSA
Katie Power, SHS PE & Health Teacher,
ASB Advisor, Coach
Nate Trichler, SHS CTE Teacher, Coach
Andrea Garibay, SHS Counselor

or underperforming

SULTAN HIGH SCHOOL

SCHEDULE

RECOMMENDATION

4X4
BELL SCHEDULE

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_ BENEFITS

Aligns with School Board goals and

elationsh

© Opportun

DO <

a i

4X4 BELL
SCHEDULE

| 9:10-10:30
0-11:00
12:25

10- 1:00

hrough

and teaming durin

ier 1 planning

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