Chapter 5: Flexible Scheduling and Young Adolescent Development: A Perfect Match

Alternative scheduling formats provide structural flexibility to middle schools that promote the design of developmentally appropriate learning environments for young adolescents. Research indicates that flexible scheduling encourages the development of meaningful relationships between teachers and students, increases student understanding through more in-depth study of curricula, and provides time to more effectively address the demands of diverse learners. Alternative schedules create opportunities for curriculum integration and promote more flexibility and creativity in instructional processes. Flexible schedules also increase teacher collaboration and planning and support heterogeneous grouping practices. These are significant changes that match the recommendations of the National Middle School Association.