An assessment of the nature of changes caused by the implementation of the quarter system during the 1975-76 academic year in the public high schools of Texas : a dissertation

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was the determination of the status of the quarter system after its first year of mandatory implementation in the public high schools of Texas. Impetus for initiating this assessment evolved from the consideration of nine stated research questions of concern to the investigator. To assess these general concerns, a 25 item questionnaire was developed. Inquiry was made and the questions were arranged into four categorical divisions related to the implementation of the quarter system. Those categories were planning, general administrative concerns, scheduling, and curriculum development. For each question three response-options, in hierarchical order, were provided. In addition to the 25 questions, the instrument contained a request for a listing of new quarter courses and new mini-courses taught initially during the 1975-76 school year. This assessment was designed to focus on the reactions of selected public high school principals to the mailed questionnaire. This questionnaire survey was sent to the principals of 20 percent of the public high schools of Texas. This percentage equaled 226 high schools. The sample selection process was structured to meet the following criteria: (1) distributive geographical representation of all areas of the state; (2 ) proportional representation of high schools from each of the five enrollment classifications used in the state; (3) inclusion of high schools that implemented the quarter system during the 1975-76 school year; and, (4) inclusion of high schools that retained the 55 minute class period structure. As 184 questionnaires were completed and returned, an 81 percent level of response was obtained.