Published: October 28, 2008 06:03 pm            

Fayette County BOE looks at modified block schedule

The Fayette County Board of Education centered discussions around block scheduling at its last regular meeting.

“Based on presentation by Anna Kincaid-Cline (director of curriculum/secondary/CTE), the board has decided to move forward with assessing the modified block schedule for implementation next school year,” Superintendent Chris Perkins said.

After meeting with principals to weigh pros and cons, Kincaid-Cline led the presentation that ultimately led the board to move forward.

“We came to the decision based on research that the modified schedule will result in overall student improvement,” Kincaid-Cline said.

“We’re hoping this will bring up ACT scores, and for students who are struggling, this schedule will address weaknesses that exist in those schools.”

Kincaid-Cline said the modified schedule will also create a necessary consistency among Fayette County schools.

“Many of our high schools were not on a truly peer four-by-four schedule; they had already made some changes to their schools based on needs, but it wasn’t consistent.”

With the modified schedule, students will be able to participate in a “distance learning lab” where they would spend one period watching another classroom in a Fayette County school on a state-of-the-art computerized screen.

“It’s a wonderful thing we implemented in Fayette County. We will be able to offer these classes when every school is on the same time frame with their schedules,” Kincaid-Cline said.

Perkins said the modified schedule would encompass 45- and 90-minute classes, and a variance of one term and year-round classes.

“Classes like chemistry where a lab may go with the class would be a 90-minute period,” board president Dave Arritt said.

He also said most classes would be 45 minutes, except when a teacher felt he or she needed extra time, and it would then encompass two 45-minute periods.

Arritt says the modified schedule will be advantageous because it will give schools more time to offer advanced placement classes.

At the meeting, the board also decided to move forward with finding a principal for New River Elementary School.

According to Perkins, officials hope to post the position around Nov. 1.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com

        

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