This paper proposes a model to re-balance assessment schedules through the quantification of students' workload. The initiative derives from the migration of a term-based to a semester-based calendar in a HE institution. The change required scrutiny of former and new assessment calendars which highlighted deficiencies in the administration of…

This study explores the impact of instructional modality and session length on student success and retention in first-semester Japanese and Spanish language courses at a large urban community college. The research analyzed pre- and post-tests, final grades, and retention rates across multiple academic terms, including standard 16-week and…

The purpose of this mixed-methods simple explanatory sequential research design study was to examine and explore the relationship between semester-length and online student success at a community college in southeast Texas. Five research questions were addressed. The first two quantitative questions asked (1) how does semester-length relate to…

In this article a graduate level diversity course, "Diversity & Equity in Higher Education" that is based on Johnson's (2005) "Privilege, Power, and Difference," and Critical Race Theory (CRT) (Tate in "Rev Res Educ" 22:195-247, 1997) is described. Johnson's concepts, such as paths of least resistance,…

The study explored characteristics of the curriculum practice of higher education faculty in the context of time-compressed (e.g., 5-6 weeks) courses as compared with regular term (15-16 weeks) courses. The researchers used open-ended questions on a web-based survey at a large doctoral-extensive university in a Midwestern state in the United…

A comparison of New York City students of similar sex and ability in regr/MB)

A national survey of colleges and universities gathered information on variation in academic calendars across schools and over time; how many days, weeks, or minutes are considered necessary for a semester or a unit of academic credit; and who sets those standards. Results suggest little standardization and a shrinking semester. (MSE)

Since the 1960s, many colleges and universities have shortened their school years. Driven by debate about the quality of undergraduate education and about whether students are getting their money's worth in college, some institutions are reexamining their academic calendars. Practical considerations, including student attendance patterns, make…

In 1991, California's San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) formed a task force to investigate the effects of adopting academic calendars that end either before or after the winter holidays. To gather information, the task force performed a grade distribution analysis among district college students to determine the impact of fall semester…

This study compared students' learning experiences in a set of courses in British literature and a set of courses in marketing, in which each set included a course taught in an intensive format and a semester-long format with the same instructor and content. Data collection included participant observation, videotaped class sessions,…

This book presents detailed descriptions of alternative types of block schedules and discusses their effects on teachers and students. The book shows administrators how to organize their schools so that time enhances instruction and fosters learning. Chapter 1 discusses problems with the traditional high school schedule and chapter 2 provides…

The project was designed to assess the effects of full-credit semestering, half-credit semestering, and trimestering on the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of students in selected secondary schools in Ontario. The research focused on four major areas--the utilization of instructional time, interpersonal relationships, student…