Modified Block Schedules Approved For SJHS, SHS

By Naomi Hatch
   Officials of Snowflake Junior High School and Snowflake High School have requested that the schools go back to the 90-minute modified block schedule, and the school board agreed to allow the change in schedules.
   A study session was held last week during which the pros and cons of the request were listed.
   One advantage of the 90-minute block schedule is that it improves attendance, which results in fewer passing periods thus removing the temptation to leave campus. There is a common prep period for teachers, which allows more effective professional learning and planning for core classes. Focusing on four instead of seven classes allows for fewer homework assignments and more guided practice supervised by the teacher for each subject, which helps students be better prepared for homework.
   In addition, students prefer access to teachers daily from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m.; each period allows more in-depth subject matter coverage; Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) requirements are met more easily with the block schedule; allows eight periods instead of seven for master schedule flexibility; there could be more quality practice with homework as a result of guided practice time at school; and with fewer teachers, the block adds sections to help keep class sizes lower.
   Advantages at SJHS included that lunch discipline is practically down to zero because of the split lunch, and it promotes daily reading, allows year long electives, makes scheduling sections for teachers easier, and it allows more electives, and the addition of advanced social studies and science.
   Disadvantages are that social studies and science cannot get as much time as the other subjects, there is no math every day at SHS as there is language arts has; the math and music teachers prefer daily practice; there may be less homework; activity students could miss classes for three days; you cannot teach as much material; there is no data proving a block schedule facilitates more learning; some teachers do not use the block time effectively; academic tutoring classes may or may not be productive, but focus and standard curriculum will make them beneficial to students; and at SJHS, not all teachers have a common preparation period for professional learning together and common planning.
   The board approved the modified block schedules submitted by the SJHS and SHS administrators in a 4-1 vote. Board member Jonni Lewis voted to approve the SJHS schedule, but said she felt that it was a long time to keep students in class at SHS, noting she could see benefits for some classes, but not all.