636 responses. Question? Contact Info@menc.org.

1. What is the predominant type of scheduling in the school (or grade level/district) where you work?
5% : a. parallel scheduling
21% : b. block scheduling
4% : c. alternate: (11 period or other; shift days)
0% : d. shortened week (4 day school week)
20% : e. traditional 8 period day
18% : f. 7 period day
12% : g. 6 period day
0% : h. year round school
2% : i. tri-mester
11% : j. other, WRITE IN:

2. What is your preferred type of scheduling, what would be your ideal schedule type/structure?
5% : a. parallel scheduling
7% : b. block scheduling
5% : c. alternate: (11 period or other; shift days)
5% : d. shortened week (4 day school week)
29% : e. traditional 8 period day
18% : f. 7 period day
9% : g. 6 period day
4% : h. year round school
1% : i. tri-mester
7% : j. other, WRITE IN

3. Thinking of your ideal schedule as a 6, please rate the actual scheduling you presently have at your school.
5% : 1. couldn't get any worse
14% : 2. bad
29% : 3. not very good, just fair
33% : 4. good, satisfactory
13% : 5. very good, great
2% : 6. ideal, perfect, I'm so happy!

4. At your school (or grade level), who makes the decisions about the schedules?
43% : a. principal
3% : b. school committee
35% : c. combination of principal, school committee
14% : d. other, write in:

4a. Are teachers' opinions/input sought by the decision makers regarding the scheduling?
20% : a. yes, always
47% : b. sometimes
23% : c. not very often
7% : d. never

4b. Have you ever been asked to provide input into the schedule at your school, as it regards music classes?
69% : a. yes
29% : b. no

4c. Has your advice/input been listened to?
56% : a. yes
39% : b. no

4d. Has your advice been acted on?
43% : a. yes
51% : b. no

5. In a Question of the Month from October 2004, members were asked if the music schedule had been impacted by NCLB and mandatory testing. Members responded that 55% had experienced changes in scheduling, and 38% said these changes had negatively effected the music program. 31% said there was decreased time for electives.

Has your music class schedule been impacted by the effects of NCLB and mandatory testing?
45% : a. yes, negatively
2% : b. yes, positively
24% : c. no
17% : d. somewhat
9% : e. not sure

6. Please indicate which applies to the music class scheduling for your school/grade; check all that apply.
31% : a. sections for instrumental classes (in additional to regular classes)
19% : b. sections for vocal practice (in addition to regular classes)
27% : c. sections/classes are pullout and meet when other classes are meeting
32% : d. sections are not pullout, that is, they do not interfere with other classes, are usually during teacher prep time or other "non" class time in the school day
86% : e. the majority of my music classes/sections meet during the school day
2% : f. the majority of my music classes/sections meet after school
2% : g. the majority of my music classes/sections meet before school

7. In your school/grade, what is the average length of a music class, in minutes?
2% : a. less than 30 minutes
13% : b. 30 minutes
22% : c. between 30 - 40 minutes
36% : d. between 40 - 50 minutes
11% : e. between 50 and 60 minutes
9% : f. 90 minutes
2% : g. other

8. How many class meetings/week do you have per class? That is, how often does one particular class meet?
27% : a. once/week
26% : b. twice/week
14% : c. three times/week
1% : d. four times/week
28% : e. five times/ week

9. What is the best thing about your music class schedule? And please explain why! (briefly)

10. What is the worst thing about your music class schedule? And please explain why! (briefly).

11. Regarding a redesigned scheduling page on the MENC website, would it be more helpful for you to have a scheduling resources page organized by:
13% : a. GRADE level
11% : b. by "TYPE" of scheduling?
64% : c. by both grade level and type of scheduling
3% : d. other (including types of resources you might find helpful): WRITE IN

12. We're looking for examples of schedules that "work" (or even examples/stories of those that don't) to share on a newly revised MENC scheduling website page. If you have a sample schedule (like block, or year round, 7 period, etc.) or stories you would like to share which would be HELPFUL to other members, please describe/share. Please provide your name and contact info (email/phone), the grade level of the scheduling story/sample, and your state so we can contact you if we decide to use your submission:

13. Please indicate which grade level or type of scheduling you chose to use as the basis of your answers to the survey:

ABOUT YOU

1. Are you an MENC member?
92% : a. yes
5% : b. no

2. What grades do you teach? Check all that apply:
9% : a. pre k
39% : b. kindergarten
48% : c. 1 - 3
60% : d. 4 - 5
48% : e. 6
45% : f. 7 - 8
32% : g. 9 - 12
1% : h. college
1% : i. I'm a student
0% : j. I'm retired
0% : k. I'm an administrator
0% : l. I'm a booster member/organizer

3. What areas do you teach? Check all that apply:
41% : a. band
54% : b. chorus
10% : c. orchestra
67% : d. general music
6% : e. early childhood
18% : f. jazz
12% : g. theory
4% : h. composition
8% : i. music history/philosophy
2% : j. methods/pedagogy
11% : k. other