Parallel Block Scheduling: Accommodating Students' Diverse Needs In Elementary Schools

The parallel block scheduling (PBS) approach is a flexible method of scheduling that addresses student grouping, time for teacher planning and scheduling of subjects, support services, and staff PBS allows both small instructional groups to be scheduled for subjects like directed reading and math and larger groups for other subjects. Support services, which may have been pull-out remedial or enrichment programs, are scheduled primarily during Extension Center time, thereby reducing class interruptions and the stigma associated with leaving the class for special services. Students with disabilities are supported in classrooms alongside their nondisabled peers. The special education teacher serves as a consultant to the base teacher, a co-teacher, an Extension Center teacher, and a member of collaborative teams.