Three Ways Not to Announce a New Schedule

You're ready to take on a new school schedule and want to share your news with the community. How you announce it could make or break its reception.

We have broken down three key errors to avoid when making such an announcement.

Three “Announcement” Errors

1. The School Head announces a major leadership departure when unveiling the new schedule. Announcing two major changes at the same time can cause either a commotion or a lack of excitement—neither of which is your intended result. In fact, this can drastically change your faculty and staff motivation. We often see administrators or teachers try to “wait it out” and see if these new changes will stay when the new hire arrives. This makes your staff question the investment of their time. So while you can make two major changes simultaneously, make sure you think the announcements through. Assess the situation and ask yourself if the leadership change will impact the motivation of your staff. Will motivation for change fluctuate when the departing leader moves on?
2. Impulsively telling teachers that one option is to “do nothing.” It is never a good idea to give the option that they can choose not to participate if they don't like the new system. Most people dislike change. It can mean more or different work and some teachers may not want to put that extra time in. If the out is given, some people will take it.
3. Inappropriately announce the launch date before creating the new design. We often see schools doing this. Schools will announce to the public that they plan to begin designing a new schedule … in the fall. We don’t recommend this. You do not know what you could get yourself into. Have you fully assessed what needs to be accomplished, how long it will take, and if your school can actually carry it through?

Prepare to Make the Right Schedule Change Announcement

Keep these three things in mind as you craft your message to the community.

1. Share the research behind the change. Collect research and data that shows the school cannot stay where it is. Have the numbers and information to back up your announcement. This will help you remain confident that this is the right choice for your community.
2. Assess how long it will take to prepare faculty and your curriculum to be ready. List the tools and information you must make available to ensure an easy transition. Do teachers have the necessary resources, including time and support, to do this? Does the school have the stipends, professional development, and other systems to make this switch? Gather your inventory and include them in your announcement.
3. Determine if it is a first-, second-, or even third-order change.
   • First-order change: This schedule change is something that teachers or faculty are ‘ready’ for. It is within the existing paradigm—something like changing class times from 55 minutes to 65 minutes. While this is not a major overhaul, it is something that could smooth out some edges with teachers and students. These changes can typically be implemented in as little as two months.
   • Second-order change: From information ISM has gathered, roughly 80% to 90% of schedule changes are second-order. An example is transitioning from 40-minute periods to 70-minutes with rotating schedules. This could affect how you deliver your curriculum or create a new rhythm to the schedule. If a change begins in the spring, it will be ready and fully implemented the following spring. This, of course, is all possible if you have accomplished the proper work beforehand.
   • Third-order change: Finally, a third-order change is radical. This includes changes to the core curriculum and thought process on how to teach and at what level. A change like this could take up to two years. How well this change goes depends on how skilled and prepared the teachers are, as well as how much professional development you have provided.

The Reasons for Change

There must be a reason for making a change that ultimately benefits your community. Here are at least three driving forces for schedule changes.

1. Student-driven: This is the obvious number one force for change. Schedule changes must look to improve students’ well-being, especially as they face issues of rising stress and mental health.
2. Curriculum-driven: This is a shift in what we teach and how we teach it, while recognizing the way children learn.
3. The value of education: This force for change looks to give a unique way of teaching while seriously considering how education is delivered.

As you consider your announcement, understand what to say (and what to avoid). A schedule change should improve the lives of your students, teachers, and staff. Keep these notes in mind to ensure you communicate effectively.