Galt high school teachers surveyed on block schedule

Report: Most willing to stick with it, but say it requires more work

GALT — Although a majority of Galt Joint Union High School teachers said the new block scheduling format is causing them additional work and forcing the omission of some teaching concepts, they are willing to stick with it.

This information was discussed following a report presented at a Galt Joint Unified School District board of trustees meeting earlier this month.

After taking note that more students were not graduating collegeready and researching several scheduling options, the district opted this school year to put into effect the new scheduling system so students can complete more classes during their four years at the high schools.

Teachers were surveyed in December to get their thoughts on how the new scheduling format in the first half of the year has affected what they teach and how they teach it. They were also asked about their workload and stress levels, and their relationships with students, as well as any recommendations for changes and whether they would prefer to switch back to the traditional six-period day.

More than a third (38 percent) felt positive about the change, according to the survey results.

“I like the block schedule, and it seems the students like it as well,” one anonymous teacher wrote. “I have not been stressed, and I feel I have covered a sufficient amount of material.

“The students are learning and retaining the material better than I expected.”

And, in the end, 59 percent of all respondents said they do not want to return to the sixperiod day, while only 18 percent favored doing so.

Here are some of the other survey highlights:

• 61 percent of teachers surveyed said they could not cover as much content as in the past, while 26 percent said they could

• 37 percent said they omitted or moved content

• 20 percent said they covered fewer topics, but in more depth

• 13 percent kept the base content the same, but changed their assignments and tests

• 55 percent said they spent more time of group work than in the past

• 44 percent said they spent less time on direct instruction

• 45 percent said their students have less homework than last year

• 69 percent are spending more time on preparing materials or classroom environment

• 41 percent are spending less time collaborating with other teachers and administrators

To address teacher concerns that they cannot cover all the content they did previously, the consultant who administered the survey recommended more opportunities for teachers to collaborate on pacing guides and identifying key standards to cover.

Students and parents will be surveyed, as well.

In addition to holding meetings with teachers and other staff last spring, the district surveyed local students and found close to 50 percent said they could not take some courses because they were offered at the same time as others.

Research also found fewer students were graduating ready for college and career, according to a presentation made by district staff last year.

At that time, data showed an average of 35 percent of Liberty Ranch and Galt High students are passing requirements for entrance into a California State University of University of California campus, compared to 41 percent of students in all of Sacramento County and 42 percent of students statewide.