What does research say is the best schedule for student achievement?
There is not a large body of data that addresses this topic. However, there are three studies that do speak to this. Both the ACT and the SAT programs (college admission tests) conducted studies that showed that students from traditional schedules (six and seven period days) scored slightly better than students who came from block schedules. Students in a state-wide Georgia study scored better on statewide tests if they came from traditional schedules rather than block schedules. Finally, the most comprehensive study came from the State of Washington which compared student achievement on state tests and schedule types. Students from extended period schedules (60 minutes or longer) scored the best, followed by the seven period day, the six period day, and the four period block schedule which finished last.
