ABSTRACT
Well-developed schedules contain ingredients for well-run schools and well-delivered curriculum. Unfortunately, schedule developers do not universally understand or efficiently construct master schedules. Building principals have primary responsibility for creating an efficient schedule. A principal who sees the big picture of a school as well as subsets or parts of that picture should lead the design of the schedule. As the instructional leader, the principal is most aware of the comprehensive student population, its diversity, the expertise and licensure of the staff, and expectations of the community. An equitable schedule influences and honors the teachers' contract and allocates responsibilities equally and respectfully among all staff members. A major goal of schedule development is to provide a constructive vehicle to establish a school system and not a system of schools. By focusing on a specific school, the principal uses department summaries objectively and critically to make decisions on the distribution of staff assignments.
