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NewsScheduling Success: Why a school schedule makes a differenceWhy would District 112 high schools move away from the four-block schedule used since the mid 1990's? What's the advantage of a seven-period modified block schedule? Those are important questions deserving answers. Every schedule has advantages and disadvantages. As district staff reviewed scheduling options, they looked at many variations of schedules that work in one school or another across the country. It easy to find people who think each of those schedules offer the best options for schools and their students. At the end of a diligent review of viable schedules, the team selected the schedule already in use at Pioneer Ridge Freshmen Center: the seven-period modified block schedule. This combines the four-block with a seven-period schedule. On some days, students attend seven classes; on other days, they attend four 90 minute classes. Here's a look into the thinking that led the team to this selection. Secondary Design Team work was completed in November 2007. Leaders of the secondary program redesign began looking at schedules in December 2007, when a nationally known scheduling consultant met with teachers and administrators to talk about ways in which a schedule can support an instructional program. In evaluating schedules, the team looked for the best schedule to support the secondary program redesign recommended by a 60 member staff-student-community task force and adopted by the Board in November 2007. That work identified a clear mission for District 112 secondary schools "to prepare each learner for successful completion of a post-secondary educational program, life-long learning, career opportunities, and meaningful contributions as a citizen of the local and global community." The schedules were evaluated on how well they supported new program priorities. Most importantly, the schedule had to support the desire to improve student achievement, prepare students to succeed in post-secondary programs, and create personalized, rigorous, and relevant learning experiences. Other priorities include:
The team believes using the seven-period modified block schedule beginning in grade 6 and continuing through to graduation will be helpful in reducing some of the issues students face as they transition to high school. In District 112's program, the students will be familiar with the schedule when they arrive at the high school as freshmen. The schedule change will be in place for the 2009-10 school year at all secondary buildings. Frequently Asked Questions (Note: post-secondary school is a common name to represent college, university, technical school, etc) How do credit opportunities change? The seven-period modified block offers seven credit opportunities per year. Courses are a semester or a year in length. The new four-year high school program will offer 28 credit opportunities. The four-block schedule allows eight credit opportunities per year or 31 total credit opportunities for students (seven at grade 9 and 24 in grades 10 - 12). Aren't more credits better? Research tells us that students benefit from having time for additional depth in important college-preparatory classes. American high schools are frequently criticized for curriculum that is a "mile wide and an inch deep." We believe choice and depth of preparation are both important. The middle school program allows students to explore academic interests, and the seven-period modified block addresses choice and depth. It offers multiple elective credit opportunities beyond specific graduation requirements still allowing students to explore areas of interest. Will my child graduate on time? Yes. The switch in the daily schedule alone won't put students in jeopardy of not graduating on time. Students will, of course, need to pass required courses and earn the required total number of credits to graduate, and the new schedule will allow that. The graduation requirement for the CHS Class of 2009 is 26.5 total credits. It is proposed that the graduation requirement for the Class of 2010 will be 25.5 and for the Class of 2011 will be 25.0. This creates a transition to the new schedule for students currently in the program. Can my child do PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options)? Yes. All junior and senior students are eligible to attend PSEO. A school district can not deny students that opportunity and the daily schedule does not preclude students from participating. Students need to meet the admission requirements set forth by the post-secondary school they choose to attend. Please contact your counselor with questions or for details on PSEO participation. Will my child be able to "double up" on classes? Students will not be able to "double up" in courses that are sequential in nature. One of the advantages of the four-block is the possibility to take the equivalent of a one year course in semester one and a second year in semester two. One of the disadvantages of the four-block was possible gaps in learning experiences if students did not take two sequential courses in a year. For example, a student might register for Algebra II as a junior and have it in the fall semester and register for Precalculus as a senior and not have it until spring semester. The seven-period modified block will have students in most core classes for an entire year. How can my child get to AP Calculus? We know there are students who would like to take AP Calculus while a student at CHS and are not able to take its prerequisite, Pre-Calculus this year. We are proposing that we identify these students and offer them Pre-Calculus during the summer months at CHS. This plan was worked out with the Math Department as the most viable. Students could also take Pre-Calculus through an Online Learning Program. We will gather information on student interest in this option during the registration process in February to determine how to proceed. Will course offerings be changing? Yes. High school and middle school Core Teams and Curriculum Teams are working on course offerings right now. The work is being guided by a commitment to prepare each learner for success in their future by providing rigorous and relevant learning experiences. The knowledge, skills, and character necessary for success in the future are different than in the past. Our course offerings and the content of those courses must align with learning, career, and citizenship realities of the future. I heard something about small learning communities. What is that? Current sophomores and juniors will not be impacted by the small learning community transitions. The small learning community concept in education is the idea of breaking large schools into smaller units to promote relationships, safety, belonging and avoid the anonymity and disconnectedness that can be part of a large school. There are many models including magnets, houses, academies, and teaming. Current planning is to keep a model similar to the 9th grade teaming that exists at the Freshman Center and then extend it into grade 10. As the class of 2013 become juniors and then seniors courses will be organized in fields of interest and programs of study to assist with academic planning. Chaska High School and Chanhassen High School are both committed to a personalized, rigorous, and relevant learning for all students regardless of grade. When can I talk to CHS staff about the changes and student academic plans? We invite you to attend any of the following information sessions scheduled in the Blue House Forum at CHS. Friday, November 7 @ 7:30 am Monday, November 10 @ 3:15 pm Tuesday, November 11 @ 7:00 pm Thursday, November 20 @ 7:00 pm Thursday, December 11 @ 5:00 and 7:00 pm (CHS Conference night) Additional opportunities to ask questions and plan will be available during the registration process in January and February and communicated at a later date. Students and families can contact their counselor to discuss academic plans at any time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
