FWCS wants to return to a seven period class schedule from the four period block schedule currently used in all the high schools. Whether this happens depends on current negotiations with the teachers union, which are already pretty dicey due to budget cuts and proposed reassignments.
The idea behind block scheduling was that the longer class period would allow more material to be covered, so that, theoretically a two term course could be condensed to one term. But in actuality that doesn't happen because it's practically impossible to keep kids engaged for 90 minutes, so typically during the last half hour, you let them do their "homework" in class. And by taking, say algebra, for half the year instead of the whole year, they have half a year to forget what they learned in the previous course prior to taking the next course.
From an academic standpoint longer periods don't make sense unless the class is a lab where it takes time to set up and take down equipment and kids are not sitting in a desk most of the time. Maybe block scheduling was worth a try, but going back shorter periods is the right move.
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15 comments:
Wow, Evert, hearing you praise FWCS is about as shocking as hearing Kevin Knuth say that he knows a good Republican. :)
Anthony - Knuth has said recently that he knows a good Republican who doesn't agree with him.
Also, Evert has said some very good things about some FWCS teachers - we do have quite a few who do as good a job as the FWCS administration will let them.
It is interesting to hear Robinson spin this decision. The real reason is money. They can cut teachers and save money because now high school students can earn at most 55 credits instead of 63 in the block. Sarasota, FL schools made the change this year and claim to save $5M by cutting 70 positions.
The funny thing is that FWCS has known for several years that the block schedule is not conducive to learning. They stuck with it because they thought it was the only way to keep top students (they can cram in more electives and AP courses in the block). But mediocre students in the block suffer. Imagine a break of one full year between math courses or between Spanish I and II. Not good. But Robinson would have us believe this decision was made for academic reasons. OK, whatever.
I see what teachers have to put up with in the classrooms, especially in the high schools. It's a frustrating job. What's very disappointing to me is that they won't talk about it publicly. The teachers and especially their union have more power than anyone to change the system, but they won't do it.
http://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/departments/highschools/
this link takes you to the Sarasota schools website. In the left hand column listing, click on "2009-10 High School Schedule Change" to see their power point on the change to a 7 period day. At least they are being honest.
This will be a good change for students for many reasons.
http://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/departments/highschools/
it is cutting off my link!!
www.sarasotacountyschools.net/
departments/highschools/
Siesta-
Read the Sarasota piece, and it's refreshing that they're up front about the cost reduction. But I never could see much merit in the block scheduling from an academic standpoint. Teachers I talked to were mixed about it. If they liked it, it was because they actually spent less time teaching.
When I subbed in the high schools, there was nothing worse than being in a room full of kids who didn't give a damn for 90 minutes. And that was the case most of the time.
Of course teachers liked it. You have only 90 students' work to grade and a 90 minute plan period!! Who do you think is most supportive of the union...teachers who need protecting!
The seven period day will be harder for teachers, but better for students. But as you say, unless you can get a student reading at close to grade level when he/she gets to hs, you are fighting a losing battle.
Have you investigated Imagine schools at all? I heard they teach reading and math to all students in the building at the same time and divide into ability groups. Interesting concept. A student could easily jump more than one grade level in a year...and the struggling student does not get left behind.
I am not that familiar with elem schools, so don't know if any FWCS schools do this (other than Montessori school).
I don't know how Imagine Schools operate. What you describe sounds like what Willis was doing at Keystone. It's private and different but also in financial trouble.
This is a long time coming--- hooray! I have never understood the reasoning for this 4-block scheduling, thinking it is a remnant from the Fowler-finn days. I had always heard the teacher's union would fight going back to a standard 7 period day, however many of the fine arts, P.E., and elective-type teachers will welcome this. Our music students especially have been dropping those classes to fit in the AP and the academic oriented classes that can't fit in the 4 period day. I understand this may eliminate some HS teacher's positions in the core areas as teachers will now teach 5 classes vs. 3 per day. As a parent, I have never liked this 4-block.
Actually, Jules, music, pe, fine arts teachers will NOT like it. Students will now take fewer electives and teachers who teach non-core classes will have their jobs eliminated. It will probably save the district $4 million by eliminating those jobs.
Imagine Schools is a horrible experiment. The two principals are former PE teachers in Whitley County schools at the high school level, who have never stepped one foot in an elementary classroom outside of administration. They have no curriculum except for math, the teachers have been told they can only teach math and reading. Teacher turnover is horrid! They are already on their 3rd 5th grade teacher on Broadway, and a few of the other teachers are looking to quit before Spring Break.
The block schedule caused me to lose three credits, since I would have got seven. At the begining of the past school year I went to Huntington North, where I had a seven period class schedule. When I moved to North Side, the end of term one had two weeks left and nobody was willing to stick me in classes to give me an oppertunity to LEARN something in the meanwhile, even if I couldn't earm a credit.. So, I ended up doing absolutely nothing for three weeeks, as it took me a week to get settled in the new house. Then, the possible courses for me to take for term two were to my dislike, although I got over it.... I never liked block schedule. I thrived on seven period schedule ever since sixth grade. I like the change of schedule.
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