THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512130378
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Currituck County High School students will have more changes next year than a new building.
The Board of Education on Monday night approved block scheduling for high school students, which means most will take fewer subjects for longer periods of the day.
It may also provide more seniors with a chance to graduate early to start jobs or military careers, or begin taking college courses.
The five-member board approved ``4-by-4 scheduling'' for the 1996-97 school year, but the members agreed that details need to be worked out before the new process could be implemented.
Under the new system, students will take up to four semester-long courses of 90 minutes each. The more traditional scheduling allowed an average of six 55-minute classes - most lasting through the school year.
``I think our students do deserve this,'' said Mary Ellen Maxwell, chairwoman of the school board.
Other members agreed, with some noting block scheduling is increasing in popularity across the state. Locally, high schools in Elizabeth City, Manteo, Edenton and Gates County have begun the program.
Last month Principal Richard Wardle told the board it would cost about $200,000 to implement the new scheduling. That figure included about $25,000 in computer software and the cost of hiring five additional teachers for expanded courses and an advancement center.
After some members questioned the costs, Wardle restructured the program to make use of the available staff and resources.
To eliminate additional teaching positions, Wardle suggested:
Replacing a variety of English and biology levels with only three levels - honors, academic and basic.
Keeping all courses a semester long.
Revamping current programs - such as the academic lab, tutoring, extended day and summer school programs - into the advancement center, which will tutor transfer and trailing students.
Eliminating poorly attended courses. These might also be offered on an alternating-year basis.
Slightly increasing class sizes, which should be easier once the students move into the much larger building under construction.
Board member Janet Taylor asked about making U.S. History, Algebra I and English yearlong.
She also had questions about seniors' eligibility for school functions and sports if they finished in midyear.
Early graduates could still attend activities such as proms and commencement exercises. But they could not participate in winter or spring sports, Wardle said.
``From what we've heard, a majority - way up in the 90 percentages - stay in school. That's the year they all look forward to,'' the principal said.
Board member Sam Walker said he has spoken with officials at other districts with block scheduling, and most are ``overly excited'' by it.
``It's all been positive, but it takes that local commitment from the parents and the students and the faculty,'' he said.
The Currituck high school faculty voted in favor of the 4-by-4 scheduling by a 2-to-1 ratio, Wardle said.
School officials have said the new scheduling may help keep at-risk students in school until graduation. Currituck County public schools last year had the highest dropout rate among Albemarle school districts. by CNB