Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 26, 1994 TAG: 9412270047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Now, some parents want the school system to bring back one feature of the old seven-period system.
They have asked the city School Board to add another period daily in the high schools so students can have more opportunities to take electives.
Some students in the city are attending Cave Spring High School in Roanoke County, the parents said, because it has a seven-period day with time for more courses.
Roanoke Superintendent Wayne Harris said he is sympathetic to the parents' concerns, but the problem is money.
Harris said it would cost nearly $1.2 million to add another period, and would require hiring 30 teachers.
The city's block schedule, which has three 105-minute classes each day, has worked smoothly, school administrators said.
The city has an ``A/B'' block schedule: It alternates daily so students have three courses on one day, and three other subjects the next.
With the ``A/B'' plan, students can take only six courses a time. There is no time for a seventh course.
If another period were added, it might be in the middle of the day, said David Partington, director of secondary education.
The additional period likely would be about 50 minutes, Partington said.
Some parents have suggested that the city could reduce the costs by hiring part-time teachers for the additional courses. But school administrators say it could be difficult to locate 30 teachers who are licensed and willing to teach all of the courses that are desired by students.
Rita Bishop, assistant superintendent for instruction for Roanoke, said a second option would be to provide additional classes before the regular school day begins.
Patrick Henry and William Fleming high schools already offer a few classes early in the morning, called the ``zero period.'' But only four or five are offered, and there is little funding for them. Most of the teachers volunteer their time to teach the courses.
There is another drawback to the early-morning classes: The students have to provide their own transportation.
``We have a few classes during the zero period, but we really don't have that much now,'' said Wayne Wright, an assistant principal at Patrick Henry.
Partington said the principals at Patrick Henry and William Fleming will assess the demand for additional periods
Educators say that block schedules help students to better master difficult subjects and improve the learning environment.
This year, the National Education Commission on Time and Learning recommended that school divisions switch to block schedules, in which two or more consecutive periods are combined for teaching a difficult subject. The federal commission also recommended a longer school day.
Franklin County is the latest locality to approve a block schedule, recently adopting a ``4/4'' plan. Students will take four 90-minute classes each day.
Roanoke County soon will appoint a committee to study the pros and cons of a block schedule.
``We will take a look at whether it is something that we should do,'' said Marty Robison, executive assistant for Roanoke County schools. It probably could not be implemented until 1996, he said.
Both Salem and Montgomery County use the traditional seven-period day. Montgomery is closely following the experiences of other schools in switching to block schedules. ``We're listening to what others are saying about them,'' said Doris McElfresh, a program director.
Pulaski County High School has been using a block schedule for two years.
In Botetourt County, both high schools are gearing up for block schedules. Lord Botetourt and James River high schools are developing schedules that best suit their needs, said Susan Kidd, an administrative assistant.
In Bedford County, Liberty High School is operating a pilot program in block scheduling. Superintendent John Kent said it is running smoothly.
Jefferson Forest has a six-period school day, with some classes before the regular day begins. Staunton River High also has a six-period day.
by CNB