Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503170018
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
If implemented next fall, block scheduling will change classes at Christiansburg and Shawsville high schools from seven, 45-minute periods per year, to eight, 90-minute classes per year, while only increasing the length of the school day by 15 minutes.
The primary concerns parents and students have had about the new schedule is that they don't know enough about it.
"There's not enough information out there," Connie Lowe, president of the Christiansburg Parent-Teacher-Student Association, said Wednesday night. "This [public hearing] is doing all that the school can do to get the information out short of sending a letter home with every single student."
Lowe said the PTSA executive board supports block scheduling, but members do have some reservations. The most common questions she's hearing from parents are: Is there enough time to train the staff on block scheduling? How will the program affect fine arts classes like band and chorus? Will special education students have problems staying in one class for so long?
Parents and students asked those questions Wednesday night of a 13-member panel of teachers who support block scheduling.
"I want to know why there aren't any band or chorus teachers on your panel," Lee Adcock, a junior, said to a round of applause from the crowd.
Principal George Porterfield said that those teachers have not accepted the block schedule format. They are concerned that their students need continuity in fine arts courses.
Under block scheduling, students will take four classes each semester rather than the seven, yearlong courses that are currently offered.
Adcock's mother, Nona Adcock, said she has only heard how good block scheduling will be at the school, and that makes her wary. She wanted to know why no one has given her any of the negatives.
"If there were any concerns about math, I just haven't heard them," said math teacher Betty Kreye. "I'm not hearing negatives and I've asked for them."
The other teachers on the panel agreed.
"I appreciate your concern because it does sound unusual, but it's just as we've said," said English teacher Regina Meredith. When talking to other schools that have block scheduling, "For every obstacle they've come up with, they've also had a way to work it out."
One advantage of block scheduling is that it allows students the flexibility to take classes whenever they want, as long as they've met the prerequisites. That means a sophomore could begin taking Advanced Placement courses - tougher, college preparatory courses that are usually not available until a student is a junior.
"It really begins to free you up," said Principal George Porterfield. "You don't have to take classes in the traditional way."
Shawsville High School also held a meeting on block scheduling Wednesday.
"It went well," said Assistant Principal Bill Fletcher. "We had a lot of good questions and some strong support for the proposal." Fourteen parents and one student attended Shawsville's meeting.
Floyd and Pulaski counties already are on the block schedule and Narrows High School in Giles County will begin the block schedule next fall.
The Montgomery County School Board plans to vote on the block schedule at its April 4 meeting.
by CNB