Middle School Common Schedule

Why a need for a common schedule?

 To provide alignment across all middle

schools, which supports the mobility of
students between schools.
– Salem-Keizer MS average mobility 11.5% or 1,004 students

 To provide students with a comprehensive

MS schedule supporting the MS Mission.
Vision

Graduation for all with an increase in core

content each year.
Research on middle school indicators of high school dropout – Middle school
students who have 80% attendance or less; or failing math or English are
likely to drop out of HS
Middle School Mission

To prepare students academically, emotionally and

socially, in order that they may succeed in high school.

Middle schools should support the whole-child and should

provide opportunities to support every student in meeting
or exceeding on-grade level standards.
Beliefs & Values Driving the Decision:
Schedules should reflect what students need: consistency, time,
relationships, responsibility for learning, enrichment, choice, access to
electives for every student.

 All students have equal access to grade level core classes.

 All students have access to electives.
 Collaboration is important for staff and students.
 Interventions are built into the school day.
 Equal access to courses across all schools.
 Rigor is valued : All students can achieve at high levels.
 It is important to educate the whole-child.
 Relationships are critical.
 Mobility should not impact a student’s education.
How was school input used?

 The work team spent time reviewing all input

provided by all ten schools and program assistants.
 Team members reviewed middle school schedules
from across Oregon.
 The work team took the input gathered and
attempted to make adjustments. This was very
difficult, as the input provided reasons both for and
against specific components of the schedule.
What about instructional time?

 All middle schools would be on a 6 hour 40 minute

day

 One class period would be approximately 58 minutes

What would the common schedule look like
for a 6th grade student?

Period 1 Science 6 or SS 6 (alternating at semester)

Period 2 Math 1 or higher
Period 3 LA 6 Block (integrated reading & writing)
Period 4 LA 6 Block (integrated reading & writing)
Flexible periods below reflect school-level decisions
Period 5 PE/Electives/Interventions/ELD/Read 180
Period 6 Electives/Interventions/ELD/Read 180
What would the common schedule look like
for a 7th grade student?

Period 1 Math 2 or higher

Period 2 LA 7 (integrated reading and writing)
Period 3 Science 7 or SS 7 (alternating at semester)
Period 4 PE or Health (alternating at semester)
Flexible periods below reflect school-level decisions
Period 5 Elective/Intervention/ELD/Read 180
Period 6 Elective/Intervention/ELD/Read 180
What would the common schedule look like
for an 8th grade student?

Period 1 Science 8
Period 2 Math 3 or higher
Period 3 LA 8 (integrated reading and writing)
Period 4 SS 8 or Health 8 (alternating at semester)
Flexible periods below reflect school-level decisions
Period 5 Elective/Intervention/ELD/Read 180
Period 6 Elective/Intervention/ELD/Read 180
What can schools do within the flexible
schedule?

The flexible schedule is intended to give schools the

opportunity to meet the unique needs of students within
their school.
Classes within the flexible schedule would provide
supplemental instruction beyond the standards aligned
in the core.

Examples identified in feedback from schools have included, but

are not limited to: a writing class, elective PE, elective science,
elective health/wellness, tutoring, etc.
What’s next?

 Process the information and begin to think

about what is needed in the flexible schedule
for your school.

 Over the next two weeks, school staff will

have an opportunity to begin the
development of the flexible schedule.
What support will be provided to implement
next year?

 Planning time and technical support will be

provided to content area teams in the
alignment of standards.