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Highlands Today

New School Schedule Works, But Consider The Message Being Sent

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Highlands Today Staff

Published: October 22, 2007

The new scheduling format apparently is working well at Lake Placid High School and that seems good for the students.

The alternating block schedule includes four 90-minute periods each day, with A and B days – students take four classes one day and then three different classes the next day with a 90-minute study hall. The classes run the entire school year.

Previously the school operated with a blended schedule with seven 45-minute periods each day. Some classes were taught in back-to-back periods. Some classes were taught the entire year while others were covered in one semester.

Students now have a 90-minute study hall every other school day providing a time and place for them to do their homework, study and work on reading skills.

Each study hall period has five to eight teachers who are available to help students, including a math or science teacher and English and or social studies teachers. Laptop computers and textbooks for all subjects are available for the students to use.

We wonder what message is being sent to those teens.

Principal Ruth Heckman said school officials discovered a lot of students weren't doing their homework. Whether they didn't have time to do it, didn't know how or didn't have a place many students were failing classes.

Those who have been out of high school 20 or more years might be thinking whose fault is that. Isn't it part of a student's responsibility to do homework? Aren't students supposed to make time for homework? If they don't understand the material, isn't it up to them to ask?

Some students were not learning the material and as a result were not adequately prepared for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, according to Heckman.

It's all about the FCAT.

We understand – and sympathize – with administrators and teachers because of the emphasis placed on the standardized tests and the pressure involved with school accountability grades. There isn't really an alternative and that is unfortunate.

The education system in this country has changed dramatically over the years, and there are probably some folks who believe it hasn't been for the better.

We hope that returning to the block schedule will reflect in improved FCAT scores and better grades at Lake Placid.

It is also important that young people leave high school with some idea of what it means to be responsible.

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