Block planning is one of the main concerns of the Aldine Independent School District. Block scheduling involves students taking half their classes one day and half the next day. There have been some complaints about how block scheduling decreases student concentration, but there have also been many compliments about how it improves students' education. Michael D. Rettig, president of School Scheduling Associates, says more and more schools are considering block scheduling and more than thirty percent of the nation's schools already have it in place. The Aldine Independent School District has been remarkably clear about why it opted for blocked scheduling: better test scores, better grades, and improved teacher-student interaction. One of the main reasons why schools move to blocked scheduling. The planning is due to students scoring higher on standardized tests. Having only forty-five to fifty minutes of class is difficult to pass a test scheduled for an hour and thirty minutes. With the new schedule, students can take their time taking exams and not rush. Many students have trouble concentrating during tests, and with the extra time, they don't have to worry about not finishing on time. Chance W. Lewis and R. Brian Cobb, who are with the School of Education at Colorado State University, along with two others, conducted an investigation into how block scheduling affects high school outcomes on the ACT. The results indicate that students on a block schedule actually had higher ACT scores in math and reading than students on a regular schedule. This proves that students focus more on their academic subjects, become more productive......amidst the paperwork......we just keep them stressed and tired every day [rhetorical question]? If more schools adopted blocked schedules, people would notice a difference in students' grades as well as teachers' attitudes. NL Dorwin says teachers are even happier with the new schedule. Flexibility in the classroom, less homework for students and fewer lessons to prepare, teachers found the classroom more relaxing. Teachers find it helpful to be able to complete their lesson plans on time and also be able to answer students' questions. In conclusion, block planning is a new and improved way to enable students to succeed in all of their courses. In my opinion, the Aldine Independent School District made an excellent choice in moving from a regular schedule to a blocked schedule. It's obviously better for students and teachers.