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The School District of Lee County took another pass at its change in class scheduling for high schoolers, reiterating this week that moving from block scheduling to seven-period days beginning in August will address the double challenge of a national teacher shortage and student "learning loss" due to the pandemic.
"We are living through a period of flux and frankly to suggest that we won't continue to be living through a period of flux going forward would be a mistake," Board member Cathleen Morgan said. "A lot is happening in public education. We are going to most likely be making changes every year. The fact of the matter is we have two responsibilities. One is to make certain that each child has the opportunity at the best high quality education. This change being made is because the only way we can do that is to make certain there is a qualified teacher in the classroom.
"Secondly, just from an absence point of view, it seems to me that throughout the district everybody has lost a routine of going to school and being in school," she said. "To a certain extent this just for what it is worth restores that every day you are in school and go through this process."
Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage said that it is vital to put as many dollars as they can into their employees, a conversation he started in November.
"We are really trying to drive the dollars where we need it the most," he said.
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jeff Spiro said it was a management decision to change from a block schedule to a seven- day period.
Spiro outlined the benefits of a seven-period day:
Currently a teacher, in a block schedule, teaches for four hours and 20 minutes out of a six and a half hour day for students.
With a seven period day, students will see their teacher every day, providing consistency in learning and processing every day. Students will gain 720 minutes of instruction, which is equivalent to 15 days per course throughout the entire school year.
With the seven-period day, teachers will have time before school from 6:35 to 7:05 a.m., after school from 1:35 to 2:05 p.m., as well as 46 minutes during a period.
"Change is hard and this is change," Spiro said. "It's very similar to 14-plus years ago when we switched from a seven period day to a block schedule."
High School Development Executive Director Clayton Simmons said they just received numbers that the district has added 3,800 new English Language Learner students that were enrolled in the district.
"I am sitting here thinking what is the best schedule to address that," he said. "For them to see their teachers every day, so they can build on their lessons."
Effects on students include a reduction in the number of classes from eight to seven, which district officials said makes it easier for students to access their make-up work and have content retention.
"Instruction will build on every single day, rather than having to wait and chunk instruction," Simmons said.
Electives was also addressed during the briefing meeting, as students in the International Baccalaureate and AICE Cambridge want to include that in their schedule.
Teaching and Learning High School Director Candace Allevato said a shift will happen for 10th grade students as they will take U.S. History instead of in their 11th grade year.
"Those IB students would be able take five classes for their IB program, or six classes depending on where they want to be their senior year," she said for juniors.
Students could also take Theory of Knowledge every day, or maintain an elective course on A day, and elective on B day.
For the AICE diploma, which is offered at all 15 high schools, there are additional opportunities for the student's schedule. Allevato said 68 percent of AICE students have an off campus class, which is a period where students are able to come in later in the day, or leave.
She also said that as of Feb. 18, 46 percent of students are currently have one or more off campus periods.
"Almost half of our students are not taking those eight opportunities. There is an upwards of 65 percent at some of our high schools," Allevato said.
As far as students participating in academies, schedules may have to be shifted to back-to-back periods.