Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Publication Date

12-2-1974

Abstract

Variable schedule models designed to accommodate differences between and within students, differences in instructional problems and corresponding strategies and differences in organizational needs for different subject areas result in scheduling problems which are most difficult, if not impossible, to solve. This study selects the Massachusetts Institute of Technology master schedule generator Generalized Academic Simulation Program (G oA.S.P.) and proceeds to:

(1) document it 1n functional english

(2) develop a scheduling model for an existing school with a complex set of variables

(3) utilize the program in a simulation mode to develop several generalizations concerning variable scheduling

A large modularly scheduled high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, provided the scheduling data neces­sary for the study. The documentation was accomplished through a series of simulated schedule runs designed to verify the validity of the compiled manual.The model developed for the sample school translated its philosophy, curricular goals and defined parameters into a computer model which achieved a high degree of scheduling success with the Generalized Academic Simulation Program. Specific parameters are identified and listed with sched­uling success ratios. A computer based model for G.A.S.P. ls also provided.

The simulation section of the study dispels the notion that anything can be scheduled in a variable schedule or with a powerful computer program. This portion of the study isolates selected key variables in the sample school schedule data and determines what effect they have on the outcome of the first master schedule in terms of students scheduled course requests fulfilled. The selected variables are:

(1) The complexity of the schedule

(2) The amount of elective choice allowed the students

(3) The number of student course requests

(4) The extensiveness of curricular offerings

(5) The variety of student grouping

(6) The master plan for time patterns

The selected variables are representative of curricu­lar and mechanical division commonly encountered in variable schedule development. Conclusions are drawn and recommenda­tions are made concerning the effect of changes in these variables on the outcome of a variable schedule developed by G.A.S.P.

It becomes apparent that as a school increases the variability of its course offerings, a corresponding decrease in the variability of its organizational pattern is necessary to maintain a similar rate of scheduling efficiency.

This study provides the reader with a compiled manual in functional 􀂊ngl1sh to the master schedule generator GoA.S.P. It also includes a model to be followed with generalizations

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Secondary Education

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy

First Committee Member (Chair)

Bonner Milton Crawford

Second Committee Member

Paul William Tweeten

Third Committee Member

Alvin Wendell Howard

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