
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 6, 1995                   TAG: 9505100028
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI                                 LENGTH: Short

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHANGES SUGGESTED

Faculties at both Pulaski Middle School and Dublin Middle School are suggesting changes for this fall.

Proposed scheduling changes are designed to emphasize language arts and mathematics, work toward an integrated curriculum, and support a variety of goals.

Although the faculty has not unanimously agreed on how to accomplish these goals, the teachers and principals are looking at longer class periods to increase concentration and reduce the number of class interruptions.

These changes would be different from the block scheduling started at Pulaski County High School two years ago, with four 90-minute classes each day.

The plan would allow more teams among both teachers and students. The classes would be longer and would held on different days instead of having the same lineup each day.

A key element would be continuing staff development to prepare teachers for the changes.

Another emphasis would be increased communication with parents. "This is probably the number one thing that we need to zero in on," said teacher Joyce Owen.

by CNB