Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 26, 1993 TAG: 9306260076
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Teachers and staff have studied the block-scheduling plan for months, meeting before and after school and on weekends and seeing schools where is has been successful. They recommended it, and Superintendent William Asbury said Thursday night he would approve it.
School Board Chairman Ron Chaffin said it was a decision for school principals, not the board, under a policy approved last year to give more authority and responsibility to those closest to the students.
The board heard reports on the proposal Thursday from staff members who thought the change could be made for the coming school year. Pulaski County High School Principal Thomas DeBolt said the change will not require more teachers.
The schedule increases the number of classes students can take each year from seven to eight, therefore increasing electives available. That extra period for electives will benefit vocational students, said Raymon Cunningham, the county's vocational administrator.
"The curriculum has not changed. The only major change is how time is used," said Shirley Cook, the school system's curriculum and instruction director.
"We were pleased to note that it gave us more flexibility," said Rebecca A. Phillips, pupil personnel services supervisor, addressing how it would affect special education.
Staff members said block-scheduling advantages more in-depth study, more individual attention by teachers, more opportunities for lab or field work, and less time wasted in halls between classes - when most discipline problems occur. Meetings will be scheduled to answer parents' questions.
Asbury said the change will require more planning by students and parents on courses throughout high school. "We have to trust our faculty. They are the experts," Asbury said. "This is a wonderful magical moment in time. . . . We've never been at a place like we are right now."
Many superintendents pray for teachers and staff to get involved in such studies, he said, and usually must push them to address 21st century educational needs. "It fell into my lap," Asbury said.
Teachers at Liberty High School in Bedford County made a similar recommendation to their School Board June 10, and Bedford County's Jefferson Forest also is considering it. About 10 high schools nationally have started it.
Harry DeHaven, Pulaski County schools' director of operations, said bus schedules will have to change slightly, but no additional buses or drivers will be needed.
School will start at 8:25 a.m. instead of 8:30 and end at 3:20 p.m. instead of 3:18.
School Business Manager Walter L. Shannon said there'll be two 35-minute lunch periods. Half of the 1,600 students will be in 90-minute third-block classes while the others eat. The procedure will require more work time by cafeteria staff, costing an estimated $8,960 a year.
Joy E. Colbert, research, development and technology director, said summer workshops will be offered to help teachers prepare.
Associate Superintendent Phyllis Bishop, who led a staff study, said block scheduling is not new. It is not unusual for elementary teachers to spend 1 1/2 to two hours teaching reading, for example. It is used in vocational education and next year the county's two middle schools will be trying it.
Summer school is scheduled in blocks, she said, which may answer the question of why students who have trouble during the regular year often do better in summer school.
by CNB