Abstract
Purpose. The first purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of eight central California high school principals regarding the effectiveness of instructional strategies as identified in the literature for classes using modified schedules. The second purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of high school principals regarding teacher training related to the instructional strategies identified in the literature and specifically for classes with modified schedule use. Methodology. The data for this descriptive case study were collected through surveys and individual one-on-one interviews with eight high school principals. The principals in three central California counties were chosen based on the use of a modified schedule at their high schools. Findings and conclusions. The following findings and conclusions were noted: (1) Principals were not aware of the range of the instructional strategies identified in the literature for modified schedules; (2) Teachers were not aware of the range of instructional strategies for modified schedules; (3) Principals agreed that increased teacher training on modified schedule instructional strategies would be of benefit; (4) The effectiveness of strategies was not influenced by subject area; (5) The classroom teachers were central to the outcomes modified schedules; (6) The instructional needs of students were not the rationale for moving to a particular modified schedule; and (7) There was no consistent method of measuring modified schedule outcomes. Recommendations. The following are recommendations for those implementing a modified schedule: (1) principals should research the range of instructional strategies for modified schedules; (2) pretraining for teachers in modified schedule instructional strategies should occur; (3) teachers should be included in the planning process prior to implementing a modified schedule; (4) modified schedules should be selected based on student needs; and (5) data collection for new modified schedule high schools should be planned.