TIME IS (BIG) MONEY: A new program funded by the Gates Foundation is subsidizing schools to try out a master scheduling software tool from San Francisco-based startup Abl. As part of the Unlocking Time program, high schools serving high-need students can apply for discounted rates to Abl’s services, along with training and coaching from a team of consultants.
The Gates Foundation’s $2.2 million investment in Unlocking Time will also go toward creating an online hub for free online tools and resources related to school scheduling, including case studies and strategies being used by other schools, according to the news announcement.
Principals and staff can also take a survey about their scheduling practices and current needs. Data from the survey will be compiled into a report aimed at school leaders looking to rethink their approach to scheduling. According to the news release, the overall goal is to “build the foundation for a larger movement toward agile, responsive schools.”
“We are building a network of school partners, practitioners, and experts to identify the challenges and opportunities surrounding time in schools today,” says Abl CEO and founder Adam Pisoni in a statement. “We hope this project sparks a deeper national dialogue that challenges long-held beliefs about how school time is structured.”
