The document discusses the trend of transitioning elementary school students to departmentalized classes, where core subjects are taught by different specialized teachers. This trend is partly due to pressure from high-stakes testing required by the No Child Left Behind Act. While departmentalization allows for greater subject depth and helps distribute accountability, younger students may not be developmentally ready and benefit more from a nurturing environment in self-contained classrooms. The ideal time to transition may be in the last grade before middle school.

1. Elementary schools and high stakes testing: Self-contained classroom vs. departmentalized classes Bonnie Hernandezcied 5383 July 20, 2011

2. purpose The goal of this research is to determine at what grade should departmentalizing classes begin at the elementary school level.

4. Departmentalized classes are set up where core content classes are taught by specialized teachers.

7. What is the right setting for your class? Classroom Setting ©2008 Biola University

9. It is cost effective to move from self-contained to departmentalized having existing teachers trained in one core subject, rather than hiring new staff (Hood, 2009).

10. Self-contained classes have the time and flexibility to teach critical thinking across subject areas (Hood, 2009).

11. How young is too young? At what age are students responsible enough to be able to make class rotation times effective.

13. The self-contained classroom

14. The departmentalized classroom

16. Elementary schools can ease this transition by implementing classroom rotations, at the very least the last grade before middle school.

17. The burden of accountability on all subjects tested is placing a lot of pressure on self-contained teachers, therefore, making it ideal to move towards departmentalization.

18. Students at the lower grades still require nurturing on a more personal level.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Elementary%20organizational%20structures%20and%20young%20adolescents'...-a0197989600

19. Why nclb is important http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/overview/importance/edlite-index.html

21. Teachers at the third, fourth, and fifth grade level may advocate for departmentalized classes, specialization in core subjects can mean greater depth in teaching.

23. Parker, A. K. (2009, March 22). Elementary organizational structures and young adolescents' self-concept and classroom environment perceptions across the transition to middle school. The Free Library. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Elementary organizational structures and young adolescents'...-a0197989600 A blueprint for reform. (2011, May 27). US Department of Education. ed.gov. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/blueprint/publication_pg3.html#part3 Sec.1001. Statement of purpose.(2002, January 8). US Department of Education. ed.gov. PL107-110. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/107-110.pdf Why no child left behind is important to america.(n.d.).US Department of Education. ed.gov. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/overview/importance/edlite-index.html