I understand the discussion on Thursday (Jan. 8th) was a little heated but here’s the question. “Would you prefer the schedule be built like it is now – all classes treated as semester courses (meaning each semester is really a different schedule.” OR “Would you prefer we block the schedule – what this means is you have the same basic kids at the exact same time both semesters.”
Note … The following will be true in either choice that is selected: 1) All music classes are already blocked since the teachers are shared with Middle School. 2) Kaw-Tech is scheduled next year for the afternoon. To make this change you have to do in early spring a year in advance. 3) Health Careers will be first block next year everyday as its tied to the IDL times.
Suggestions: I’ve already heard couple of suggestions: 1) Offer Algebra II zero hour with Gary. 2) Offer Freshmen English zero hour (in both of these zero hour options it will depend on the number of students interested in taking the course it must have enough to warrant the move to zero hour).
General Issues for the schedule change or not: 1) All current courses only offered for a semester will have to be blocked with another semester course. 2) Several AP courses have discuss a way to create a lab time in addition to their regular class time. One choice would be zero hour and another would be no AEP and students just have them for the lab time. 3) MTSS … finding time for students who are flagged in math and reading. Main focus has toe be on the juniors who were flagged their sophomore year. 4) With the current schedule we have students who have conflicts with their schedule. If the conflict is first semester they tend to make a choice and move on. However, if the conflict is second semester they normally take the course first semester then drop second. Hence – the main issue. 5) We have about 50 single classes (offered only once) and depending on the request more.. If you finger the number of classes totally offered in our schedule right now its just under 150. That means 1/3 of our classes are only offered once in a schedule. Due the math there is no way to avoid conflicts.
So the floor is open for a discuss here. Please share your comments then vote. BLOCK THE SCHEDULE or LEAVE IT AS IS. Everyone has an opinion and like everything each side has a good argument.
22 responses so far ↓
Alex Bartel // January 8, 2009 at 10:13 pm |
I vote for a year long, “blocked” schedule. Let’s settle the conflicts early and keep it simple to maximize time.
Amy Oldehoeft // January 8, 2009 at 11:33 pm |
Sorry Alex…I like the idea of keeping it the same. I was hesitant to make the change to my schedule because I liked how it was, but I’ve changed my mind.
I had some issues with too many “challenging” students in one or two hours and the semester changes have alleviated that stress. I vote to keep it the same.
Tad // January 9, 2009 at 1:33 am |
I do see both sides of this. I do as an elective teacher loose students at semester all the time with the change, but I gain some that I normally would not be able to have either. I saw this first hand this semester. It does not do anything for my funding to take these students either at 2nd semester, but I am delighted to take them as I want to give the students the opp. to take as many of my courses as possible. The change is also a welcomed change in many regards as it does help get a “fresh” start. Again I see both sides, I really can live with either decision, but my vote is to leave it as is, and let the computer attempt to make the schedule based on the enrollment in the courses.
Jason Larison // January 9, 2009 at 3:09 am |
I expressed my opinion to “LOCK or BLOCK the two semester together this morning, but wanted to share a few of other reasons. – sorry in advance for the long post… I write as long winded as I talk unfortunately ;-p
1) A majority of the classes at HHS are designed to be year long courses. In my opinion, this means that we as teachers have designed those courses for the students “maximum impact” the student is to be in the course the entire year. On one hand, a teacher can say the student is getting more experiences my moving around…. but the flip side is the student may really be missing out by not getting the whole experience the course was designed to accomplish.
2) It is an entirely different issue to have a kid the first semester and not the second than it is the other way around. Lets say a student tries to add Ag Mechanics at the semester after missing the entire first semester of instruction. If the student can just “jump in” and be just fine… was there really much value added to those other students in the first semester? How can a student come in having already missed the safety instruction and other subjects that in many cases build on one another. Amy how does a student jump into Foods at semester without all of the 1st semester content? Are they not behind and missing out on something, it has to be hard to catch up.
3) Are we filling students time with stuff to do or are we enriching their education and learning? If any student can just jump into a class after missing the entire first semester and be just fine… I wonder if it is not more of former than the later. This semester I turned down a “really good freshman” who wanted to get into freshman Ag at semester because he heard it was a fun class. I turned him down because he missed too much already… I hope to get him next year but if I do not I still think the right thing was done.
4) Independent studies… as a 100% elective teacher, I have experienced first hand the way these little conflicts are solved. The student who has to drop a class because a required class “moved into that same block” second semester is given a choice… drop the elective or go beg the teacher to please let them in an Independent Study section. I know I am not the only one with challenges like this… but the algebra or english teacher is rarely asked to take this 1 student in IS the same block they are teaching another class, but those of us that teach single sections it happens all of the time.
5) Finally, relationships. Research shows that most successful classrooms are built on relationships. It has been a core fundamental of Career and Tech Ed programs for years (Ag, Business, FACS, etc) where in many cases we see students for all 4 years they are in high school. Kevin Honeycutt said that it was “relationships with certain teachers” that kept him in school and saved him from being “at risk”. I know that I have lost students from my classes because I was “picking on them” in December…. the student might say picking on and I say setting high expectations.
I feel pretty confident that an underlying reason for quite a few schedule changes at semester is because “I don’t like that teacher or class”… what life lessons are we teaching students to let them walk away from challenges and not suck it up and gut it out. Honestly, the way it works in the real world is that your fellow employees and your boss don’t easily go away just because you don’t like them today. If I am upset with Alan for “challenging” me to much, I can’t just go take another job at semester to get away from him… we have to work it out and figure it out. Same thing with teachers with a challenging class… did you fix the challenging class or were you just happy that either the problem dropped out or the classes rearranged for a “fresh start” or redo?
I do have to admit that since we have started the semester changing like we do now I have never had a second semester that was not more “relaxing” and went better than the first. I lose a few knuckle heads (and a few really good kids too), my classes get a little smaller and things go pretty well. However, I still think the right thing is to lock the schedule and these are the points I would hope you consider as you make your decision.
Finally to quote Alan from above, “We have about 50 single classes (offered only once) and depending on the request more.. If you finger (I’m pretty sure he meant figure) the number of classes totally offered in our schedule right now its just under 150. That means 1/3 of our classes are only offered once in a schedule. Due the math there is no way to avoid conflicts.” There will always be conflicts and there is NEVER A PERFECT SCHEDULE BUILT… however, it is so much fun we decide to do it 2 times a year at HHS. I am sure that our counseling department could find better things to do with their time to benefit & impact kids if they only did 1/2 of the schedule building, enrolling, and changing that they do now. Just a thought.
Brad Weilert // January 9, 2009 at 4:01 pm |
I would like to see us go to year long classes. As long as every attempt is made to get class sizes as equal as possible at the beginning of the year along with doing what we can to fix any class chemistry problems. Think we need to keep some flexibility to ALWAYS do what is in the best interest of student learning. My biggest problem is a poorly designed Biology room.
Brad Weilert // January 9, 2009 at 4:12 pm |
I also do not look forward to the time it takes to reorganize all of my classes for quia, subfolder and lab groups every semester.
Debbie Harshaw // January 9, 2009 at 4:29 pm |
OK, I know this sounds angelic, but I feel we need to do what is best for students, and I think keeping it the way it is adds flexibility and options for students that the year-long schedule doesn’t.
I respect all the information presented in favor of year-long courses. However, I see limitations we no longer have when giving semester courses and offering flexibility to the schedule seems to allow students more options. I just haven’t experienced anything negative with semester courses the way it is so my opinion is biased. My own kids had to make choices and experienced no challenges with the semester schedule, so I again have nothing negative to relate to the way we do it now. I vote to leave it as it is.
Tad // January 9, 2009 at 6:31 pm |
I see some very valid points in what is being said by Jason. Let me ponder this some. Where is the official vote at? Is this it?
Ginny Robinson // January 9, 2009 at 6:48 pm |
Year Long – Teachers / Students continue to try to build relationships even though they do not care for each other. We must do this with English and Math already…. do we really need more?
Semester – Shake it up. You have to make choices, just like in real life, imagine that. Kids along with teachers need to be able to START OVER sometimes so they can develop a new perspective and feel renewed. We should trust that as long as we have good, interesting, needed classes, our classes will be full and we are getting to as many kids as possible.
Brooks // January 9, 2009 at 7:19 pm |
I would like to leave it the same. I understand and listen to the challenges that go with changing at semester. I can and will live with either way.
We made this change years ago to give kids more opportunities and choices. Unless there is enough evidence to suggest it has backfired for most kids, I would suggest we stick with the philosophy.
Personally, I like the shake up. I think it improves the energy of my classes and has a positive start over effect.
If there is anything education is criticized most for, it is lack of change and flexibility. More than ever, these kids are living in and will be working in a world of change. Change is a fact of life for kids, they handle it well. (My wife is on her 3rd job in four years and each of position is in a constant state of change and adaptation. Each move has provided her positive professional growth and improved her situation.)
I believe we have a staff of teachers who work hard to meet the needs of kids and challenge them in many unique and different ways. We should feel confident that kids are getting a quality education and are in positive learning environment whether or not they are in one course or another course. Most of the time, our kids are going to find ways to get to those teachers and courses that fit them the most. If they can’t get to a teacher or coursework, they will miss out on a positive opportunity. However, I imagine they will still turn out just fine.
Whew, that is enough blogging for me, see you again in a couple months!
Brenda // January 9, 2009 at 9:38 pm |
This is my first experience with “mixing it up” for second semester, and I really like it. As an elective, I have lost a few due to schedule conflicts and/or students who found learning a second language to be more challenging than they wanted for an elective. I regret losing them, but don’t see it as a complete negative. This year’s students didn’t know what they were getting into with me as a new teacher here. I also sense a new energy, and it feels like a new start. I am one who enjoys variety. My classroom dynamics are, for the most part, improved – at least so far. A student could not enter Spanish the second semester without taking it the first, and I assume the counselors know that because no one came in except one transfer student. I, for one, would humbly vote for leaving it as is. ¡Viva semestre dos!
Dena // January 12, 2009 at 12:16 am |
I also see both sides. From the special ed aspect totally redoing all of our students schedules for the second semester is a lot of work(which Susan and Traci kindly do with us) and very time consuming but if it is what is best for the student then it is the right thing to do. To answer Jason’s question posed to Amy you cannot get into Foods class at semester as it is a year long class. That also becomes a challenge with doing schedules but again the student must have the basics first. Although it is a lot of work I also enjoy “mixing it up” for the second semester. I think it makes me work harder and want to work harder for my students.
Mark M // January 12, 2009 at 2:48 am |
I think we should leave it the same, I not much into this blogging thing, but we should simple do what best for kids and put our feelings or preferences aside. With that in mind, leave the same. It may be extra work, upset our perfect class, go against our personal wishes, BUT WHY ARE WE HERE?
LEAVE THE SAME
Susan Rhule // January 12, 2009 at 2:43 pm |
Thank you to those who have blogged. Your comments are helpful.
Randall Bond // January 12, 2009 at 8:13 pm |
I have to say I agree with Brooks. I know I’m “just” the music teacher, but I feel the same way the Brooks explained…that coming back after Christmas break is like having a “positive start over effect”.
Just my two cents.
Stacey Kramer // January 12, 2009 at 8:22 pm |
I like the idea of leaving as many classes the same as possible and having the flexibility of making a change as needed. It kind of takes care of both sides. I see no reason to start completely over 2nd semester, if we go with the classes that naturally stay together, I think it could work and still leave wiggle room to change for those that need change at semester. I also still think we should ask the kids since they are the consumers.
Karen Ford // January 12, 2009 at 8:38 pm |
I like leaving it the way it is with the changes at semester. Even though I do lose a few (and may have a few more independent studies to accomodate kids) I do like the changes but also think kids can use that flexibility in the second semester to get what they need and want more easily. It is also a fresh start for some.
Carol // January 12, 2009 at 8:54 pm |
Wow! Lots of good thoughts and comments. I would only add that human nature seems to often resist change. Many of the student comments I heard the first couple of days were negative, because they were facing change. I would be interested to know how they are feeling now that they are into the second week.
Another thought would be that colleges rarely have the same schedule for the second semester, even though the class may be a continuation of the first semester. I only mention that because we sometimes talk about “preparing kids for college.”
Anyway, with those two comments, I am going to decline to vote since I am not directly affected.
Jason Larison // January 12, 2009 at 9:13 pm |
The state department tells us that in a few years we will probably be doing some sort of “end of course testing” for CTE courses. I know it is a ways off, but I wonder if we will still be responsible for students who only took a course for one semester and be “judged” or expected on students being tested over the full years worth of content?
Maybe the best move would be to covert all non-core courses to semester basis and let kids 100 percent move in and out. I know that Onaga High did a 4×4 block for a while with kids only taking 4 classes a semester and 4 different classes the next semester. The biggest complaint I heard from the Ag Teacher over there was not seeing kids year long. I would guess that the math and english teachers were not terribly excited about “Assessing” kids that were not currently enrolled in courses. They have since changed back… yes in my opinion, there are some parallels to these concerns and what we are doing to a few kids.
Lets assume that Traci and Susan each spend 20 hours working on the 2nd semester schedule. (I am guessing that is an underestimate, only they know for sure). Well if we take their 40 hours combined and allowed them to meet with kids during that time…. instead of more schedule changes, they could meet with every sophomore and have a 30 minute sit down meeting to discuss the students career pipeline results. If every teacher took the 30 minutes to hour or so to redo quia, moodle groups, seating charts, sub folders, etc and spent that time working on fine tuning a lesson or planning for the semester… how much more productive could that time be?
Yes, this has been a major source of frustration for me for a while and I have been bending Alan’s ear ever since we started doing it… I see some of our best kids being penalized, but will support the will of the majority. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to have my opinion heard.
Joni // January 13, 2009 at 3:43 am |
I support leaving the schedule as is because it gives kids more options. I think most of my freshmen are doing fine with the semester change. For the most part, the semester changes are positive for me also. Susan and Traci have been helpful with tweaking the schedule for some students when I request it. I can live with it either way, however.
Stacey Kramer // January 29, 2009 at 3:26 pm |
Just another thought. One of my special ed students was just lamenting this issue. She was frustrated because her class changed and she had to get to know a new teacher’s style when she was getting comfortable.
Jackie McAsey // January 29, 2009 at 6:11 pm |
I will support the majority decision. Believe it or not, I really don’t have alot to say about this issue.
I don’t feel strongly either way. I know I lack passion when it comes to this issue. Sorry.