“4X4” Schedules
February 24, 2010Needing your assistance – posted by Rob Westerberg
Rob Westerberg conducting chorus, York High School
As school districts begin to prepare for the 2010-2011 school year, some High Schools are considering a change to a “4×4” schedule (block scheduling, same classes every day for a semester at a time).
The potential ramifications with regard to music education are significant; I
know of very few small to medium sized High Schools (under 2,000 students) in the US that went to a 4×4 without decimating their music programs, and I don’t know of any in northern New England.
To get some hard data on the subject, Jenn Witherell-Stebbins, Band Director at Thornton Academy, has put together a very cool, very brief
survey we would like all Maine Music Teachers to check out.
The music folks at Thornton Academy need the immediate data to state their case for their concerns – there’s a sense of urgency here – but we as a state also need this data for long term advocacy. It will only take a minute to
complete and we would really appreciate the feedback! Thanks in advance and have fun filling it out!
Clicking here will take you to the survey and if you need it, this is the link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L9V5X9P
me arts ed 
I will pass this on to Sumner High School as scheduling has always been a challenge for the music department. Thanks.
Thank you Ann!
Community High School (Fort Kent) went to a 4 x 4 schedule five or six years ago. It was unworkable. Students were assigned band or chorus for a quarter and would be gone. There was no continuity to the program and we could no longer do performances.
In the last year of 4 x 4 we tried modified 4 x 4, but most students were taken out or added quarterly to conform to the other classes anyway.
This year our administration moved back to a regular block schedule and WOW – WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
It’s great to have students in all year (for the most part – some students are still shifted at the semester). In my opinion, 4 x 4 essentially killed our performance program – but now we’re back on track!!!
Thanks for your comments- I’m looking to host a session at All-State to find creative ways to simultaneously save money and save the Arts in maine. Is this even possible? I think bringing the most creative people in the State together could only be a good thing!! JWS
Great idea Jenn!
I would be very interested in seeing the results from your survey. My school is currently looking to move to the 4×4 model, and while they seem flexible to try and make it work for music, they are also pretty firm, that if that is going to happen, I have to come up with the solution! Help!!!!
Erin:
Please contact Rob Westerberg,music teacher at York High School, to answer your question. He is the teacher who provided info for the post in Feb. 2011 and perhaps can help you.