Integrated Academic Support Time

Integrated academic support time grants students access to academic support services without the barriers associated with access before or after school (e.g., transportation limitations, job requirements). This report explores opportunities for high schools to incorporate academic support and advising periods into standard daily schedules.

Districts can implement weekly support periods to incorporate advising and academic intervention opportunities into students’ regular schedules. Integrated academic support time can be in the form of short, specialized periods during the standard school week so that students can access academic support services without the barriers associated with access before or after school (e.g., transportation limitations, job requirements).

This report explores specific schedule model components and logistics of academic support periods as well as strategies to gain stakeholder support for schedule model changes.

Schedule models overview

Profiled schools operate either modified block schedule models and/or incorporate zero-hour opportunities for students. Administrators at profiled schools operate these models to integrate time for academic support and advisory within the school day.

Schedule model overview at profiled schools

School A

7 daily periods of 47 minutes each Daily 45-minute zero-hour course (reserved for jazz band) Daily 25-minute advisory period

School B

7 periods of 49 minutes each three days per week 4 blocks of 88 minutes each once per week 3 blocks of 87 minutes each with a 25-minute advisory period and a 58-minute academic support period once per week

School C

6 daily periods of 58 minutes each Daily 55-minute, zero-hour course Twice-weekly, 45-minute academic support period

School D

Rotating block schedule with 8 courses over 6 daily blocks of 59 minutes each Students rotate through 8 courses with each course meeting four times per week Daily 40-minute, zero-hour course