Charger News

Schedule and calendar in limbo

Paige Bowman, Associate Editor

At Cookeville High School students feel like they are in a state of limbo. Next year’s schedule has been a topic of debate and controversy. Block scheduling could be on the chopping block, and if block scheduling goes, then CHS will change to traditional period scheduling. While this change may not seem paramount to many students, especially underclassmen and the seniors, the change would have quite an impact on this year’s juniors.

Many juniors, and even sophomores, plan their classes and have very little “wiggle room,” and the switching from block to period scheduling would force them to rearrange their schedule, and possibly drop some classes.
Each side has its positives and negatives. In most classes, the entire hour and a half is used for instruction and review, rarely for homework. Some classes do not require the entire block for teaching, and students have plenty of time to finish their work in class. It seems that if CHS switched to period scheduling, overall hours spent in each class would drop. The answer is in the math.

With block scheduling, classes last an hour and a half and are taken for ninety day periods, giving hours total instruction. With a six period schedule, classes would be fifty to fifty-five minutes long and last all year, providing about 165 hours of instructional time. The only time this math does not totally add up is in the case of Advanced Placement classes and all-year classes, such as freshman and sophomore English, which under block schedule provide 270 hours of instructional time, quite a difference between an all year class with period scheduling. There is a 105 hour difference, and that means that 105 hours would have to be cut from that class to fit all the material in the space of a two semester period scheduled class. This is done successfully in other school systems, but would be quite an adjustment for teachers at CHS.

Another problem with the block schedule is the International Baccalaureate program. CHS recently brought in the IB curriculum, which has a specified number of hours a student must be in class. While at Auburn, Dr. Michael Martin saw firsthand how block scheduling affects students in IB classes. He said that they could not meet the required hours without working over Christmas and during the summer.

The numbers of instructional time with block scheduling is technically lower than with period scheduling. However, Dr. Martin said that for the past few years, student performance has been increasing, but he cannot say if that is a result of block scheduling; it could be any number of reasons. Another negative of block scheduling is the cost. Period scheduling, whether six or seven periods, is more cost effective than block scheduling. The cost difference is based on one primary expense: teachers.

With period scheduling, fewer teachers would be needed, so the amount of personnel would have to be decreased. The main reason right now is money. Dr. Martin said that if there was an unlimited budget, then the question of scheduling most likely would not even be an issue.

When asked about his preference, Dr. Martin said that he once went to three districts and recommended block scheduling, though it was an expensive innovation. He gave them a cost analysis and the instructional hours, then waited for them to ask for more information, or move on. Now, however, Dr. Martin said that he thinks a six period schedule would be better, though he does not oppose seven periods. He based his decision in part on the continuing compromising of the budget as a result of block scheduling.

The schedule is not just about the school day. Currently CHS and Putnam County schools are on the balanced calendar, nine weeks in school, and two weeks for fall, spring, and Christmas breaks. Recently, the students at CHS were surveyed about their preference regarding the calendar. They were asked to choose between the current balanced schedule, a schedule with one week for fall and spring breaks and two weeks for Christmas break, or a return to the schedule that had a Monday and Friday off as Fall Break, a one week Spring Break, and two weeks for Christmas. One other option that was not in the survey but was introduced is a one week Fall Break, a three week Christmas break and a two week Spring Break. The survey was overwhelmingly in favor of the current schedule, but it is likely the decision will not be made until January.