Core classes being cut or minimized in Wake County

[mizunomom]

Originally Posted by bellasformas

Mine had exceptional scores on AP exams, regardless of when the course was taken. I think it's up to the individual student, how well they do or do not do. I didn't like block scheduling at first (the middle school was block), but it's worked out well for mine.

bellasformas,
I'm glad your child did well. I agree that it is up to the individual student. But I also think that the block schedule works against the AP student. The teachers I have spoken to about this problem agree.

[bellasformas]

I understand your reasoning...just trying to offer "the other side", if you will. When people read nothing but negativity about something, they may panic when it's not necessary to do so. I realize that it's not the best for every student, but for many it's not much different than what they'll be faced with should they attend college, and they do quite well if we just let them explore their capabilities.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by mizunomom

bellasformas,
I'm glad your child did well. I agree that it is up to the individual student. But I also think that the block schedule works against the AP student. The teachers I have spoken to about this problem agree.

You have hit the block scheduling problem nail square on. It doesn't improve the success of all students and will work against success for some. It has been met with considerable resistance when it was imposed top down. Teachers if not sold on it will not like it and parents if not sold on will not like it. It was fashionable and pushed by the professional organization of school based administrators. One of the fundamental things that had to be solved when you decide to implement it is how many classes will teachers teach?

6 0f 8
5 0f 8

How many classes did they teach in their previous scheduling model?
5 of 7
6 of 7
5 of 6

If you ask them to take on an additional class you might expect to get resistance. However one of the benefits of the schedule is that with teachers teaching 6/8 instead of 5/7 or 5/6 you pick up the ability to offer more and a greater variety of courses with the same staffing. When money is tight and teacher positions being eliminated the 4x4 becomes more attractive and that is how this thread started out. So now we come full circle and have to wonder if budget cuts here there and everywhere will make block scheduling in some cases more attractive.

[mizunomom]

Agreed, from an administrator's point of view, I see definite advantages to the 4x4 block schedule. But, as a parent, I'll never be a big fan.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by mizunomom

Agreed, from an administrator's point of view, I see definite advantages to the 4x4 block schedule. But, as a parent, I'll never be a big fan.

That is sorta the way it played out in implementation.