Wise County agrees to review school schedule

**Merlin** · August 30th, 2007, 10:48 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...northern VA takes SOLs and they do just fine by not ending a semester before Christmas. </div></div>

That's kinda been my point all along. Many years ago I went to elementary school in Goochland County (just west of Richmond). We started school after Labor Day. Granted that area never saw the snow that this area did back then, but still why is it so much different now? And, as you pointed out, Northern VA apparently has no problem with the semester ending after the Winter break just like we used to have around here. To me all this talk of the class scheduling (block vs. traditional) is really out of place in this discussion. Its the starting time & ending time of the school year that should drive the debate IMO. That is the simplest solution to the problem until the classroom environmental issues can be addressed either through renovations or new schools. And, Its not going get any better any time soon. As I said before, any other points brought into this discussion just seems like an attempt to "muddy the water" and not address the root of the problem. Its just another refusal by the School Board and the current administration to avoid making the difficult decisions they have been elected/appointed to do -- provide the best learning environment possible for our children. They talk and study an issue to death and never make the important, difficult decision in fear of "not gettin' re-elected".

**sup-rbeast** · August 30th, 2007, 11:04 AM

The reason class scheduling is in the debate is because it is the reason given for starting school earlier. The admin. says starting classes sooner gives the teacher more time to get the kids ready for their SOLs...and they have to be given at the end term of the class...not necessiarily the end of the school year. By going to 7 period days, the SOL would be at the end of the school year after the teacher has had 8 monts to prepare the students for as opposed to starting school at the beginning of august and the teacher still only having 3 1/2 months to cram it in their heads. It's a matter of common sense to me. You can build 10 new schools and it isn't going to effect the SOL schedule.

**imported_Sportsman** · August 30th, 2007, 11:41 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sup-rbeast</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reason class scheduling is in the debate is because it is the reason given for starting school earlier. The admin. says starting classes sooner gives the teacher more time to get the kids ready for their SOLs...and they have to be given at the end term of the class...not necessiarily the end of the school year. By going to 7 period days, the SOL would be at the end of the school year after the teacher has had 8 monts to prepare the students for as opposed to starting school at the beginning of august and the teacher still only having 3 1/2 months to cram it in their heads. It's a matter of common sense to me. You can build 10 new schools and it isn't going to effect the SOL schedule. </div></div>

If school wasn't called off every time there was a snow flurry or forecast of snow, it would be fine to start after Labor Day. You would still complete school by the end of May. When spring fever hits, kids begin to shut down in school. By mid-May you might as well pack the tent, very little learning occurs after that. So it would be pointless to go to mid-June as you would just be spinning your wheels.

I say take this fall for what it's worth, an unusual dry and hot spell. I wouldn't plan on it happening again to this magnitude next year.

**Merlin** · August 30th, 2007, 11:41 AM

Good points and I can appreciate why the idea of reverting to traditional scheduling would provide more time to prepare for the tests. This idea does have as much merit as the block scheduling argument of allowing more electives to be offered, as well as, making it more feasible for dual-enrollment. I just have a problem with the argument that block scheduling IS why school is started so early and there is apparently no alternative without changing the class scheduling style -- at least that is what it sounds like to me. No one thinks there will be an adjustment in the scheduling style in mid-year. So, I suppose it is somewhat appropriate to discuss both issues at this time for implementation next year. I just don't think they are necessarily directly tied together as it appears some are inferring. I honestly believe they could still maintain block or a modified block scheduling system, as well as, adjust the start of the school year without the purported adverse effects that the delay of taking the test after Winter break are supposed to bring. I would think some kids might even welcome the break in order to better prepare themselves for the tests, especially if they have been struggling. I know high school kids aren't usually that conscientious, but if we apparently are trying to more closely mimic a college environment in our secondary schools then I could see some feeling that way and taking advantage of the time off before the tests. Anyway, as I've mentioned in previous posts on the consolidation threads and others, our entire School system needs an overhaul both in facilities and curriculum. If it is decided that traditional scheduling is better fine. If block scheduling is still deemed the best choice fine. It just seems they are trying to over complicate the issue of most immediate concern and is that whether to begin the school year later due to the excessive heat during early August.

**thb** · August 30th, 2007, 02:23 PM

I don't see how the traditional schedule allows more time...you still have the same amount of clock hours. In some cases like algebra 1, a student receives credit for part A and another credit for part B. If the county goes to a 6 or 7 period day one of those credits will be cut out. This will force every student to take algebra 2 so they can meet the math requirements.

**sup-rbeast** · August 30th, 2007, 02:35 PM

That is the point...Algebra wasn't divided into 2 parts before block scheduling. You had Algebra I one year and Algebra 2 the next. And as far as not having anymore clock hours in class..you have to think of it another way. Instead of having to cram a years worth of knowledge into 3 months, you have a year to take to LEARN it. It is the same as cramming for a test. If you take your time over a couple of nights to study and review, you will usually do better than if you try to cram it all in in a late night study session the night before the test. Because usually, if you take time with a subject you learn more than if you don't have time to take and end up rushing just to cover all the bases. Think about it...it makes sense. And as far as losing credits for taking different sections of the same subject, you have to remember that before block scheduling added an extra class every year, you had less credits required to graduate. When the opportunity came about to take more classes, the requirement to graduate went up as well.

**imported_elp6n** · August 30th, 2007, 02:41 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Instead of having to cram a years worth of knowledge into 3 months, you have a year to take to LEARN it. It is the same as cramming for a test. If you take your time over a couple of nights to study and review, you will usually do better than if you try to cram it all in in a late night study session the night before the test</div></div>

As one of my teachers termed it: It's the "Regurgitate and Flush Method". Dont learn it - just memorize long enough to repeat it for the test. Once the test is over - flush it.

**sup-rbeast** · August 30th, 2007, 02:49 PM

Well, that is how most classes have to be done with block scheduling...KIDS NEED TIME TO LEARN...take math class for instance...in days gone by, there were no calculators allowed for the most part...kids had to know how to add, multiply, subtract, and divide without them. Plus the kids had a year to learn the subject. They could do one skill during class, and then take a little homework home to master it. THe next day they did another...after 5-6 days they were tested on 5-6 concepts. And once those kids got out of school they could ADD their bills, BALANCE their checkbook...and even figure what interest would cost at a certain percentage rate. Nowdays, they are rushed through more math concepts and classes than they have room for on the schedule...pass an SOL...and then get into the world only to find out they can't compute numbers without a calculator. That is where the difference lies.