THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 10, 1995 TAG: 9510100257
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MOYOCK LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Currituck County High School students could be taking fewer subjects, but for longer periods each day, when classes begin next fall.
Following the lead of other area schools, Principal Richard Wardle recommended Monday that the Board of Education adopt a ``4-by-4 block scheduling'' plan for the 1996-97 school year.
By then, about 64 percent of high schools across the state should also have a more concentrated curriculum, in which students take four 90-minute classes each semester, hence the name 4-by-4.
``This is really a student-centered scheduling process, the way I see it,'' Wardle told the school board, which met at Moyock Elementary School.
High schools in Manteo, Elizabeth City, Gates County and Edenton already have adopted block scheduling, Wardle said.
The concept began about five years ago in Asheboro and is designed to broaden educational opportunities, improve teacher-student relationships and reduce homework loads.
Unlike the more conventional school year, where high schoolers take six 55-minute classes for the nine-month school year, students sign up for four longer courses that last one semester.
Ideally, each semester includestwo ``high homework'' classes and two non-academic courses, the Currituck high school principal said.
The school day would begin and end at about the same time as the current system.
An ``advancement center'' would be available for transfer students who may initially be behind after coming from a traditional school. It also could be used by students falling behind in a class.
Traditional six-period days require 165 classroom hours per course, while block scheduling requires 135 hours per course. Students would take eight courses annually, compard with six under the current system, and could graduate with 32 courses compared with the current requirement of 24.
Among advantages Wardle reviewed for the board:
More diversified instruction, making students more active learners. ``Teachers would have to change teaching strategies. They couldn't get up there and lecture for an hour and a half,'' Wardle said.
Fewer interruptions in the school day. This should lead to fewer discipline problems, since most fights and other disruptions occur during class changes, which would be reduced, Wardle said.
Students can take more electives and should spend less time on homework.
More time for in-depth studies and lab work.
Lower textbook costs.
``Teachers have fewer students per semester, and they have them for longer periods of time. Therefore, they get to know students better, their strengths and their weaknesses,'' he said.
The principal also listed some disadvantages to changing schedules. Students who miss school can fall behind more quickly. Teachers may not want to change their teaching methods. A lot of staff development would be required.
More teachers and new computer software, expected to cost around $25,000, would be needed in the advancement center, he said. He could not provide an estimate for the cost of the additional teachers.
Wardle said the high school teachers who voted on the 4-by-4 plan favored it 40 to 20.
The school board plans to hold a workshop in early November to discuss the issue and is expected to vote on block scheduling at its November meeting.
KEYWORDS: NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOLS by CNB