Multiple Options in Early Stages for HS Block Schedule

Southern Lehigh High School is in the initial stages of exploring block scheduling options for students at the high school. 

High School employees and teachers representing the counseling office, special education department, core curriculum, administration, and electives presented block scheduling options to members fo the Education Committee Feb. 27. Each has been a member of the block scheduling task force since the beginning of the year.

"We've been looking at implimenting [block scheduling] for years and several times it has been postponed," said superintendent Leah Christman. The current school schedule -which has students attending eight class periods per day with a short break between classes as well as a lunch period- has several drawbacks, said high school principal Christine Siegfried. 

The task force worked with Mike Rettig, of School Scheduling Associates to narrow the block options down to three. 

Three block scheduling options were presented to the education committee. Each with it's own pros and cons.

The "Drop Two" Schedule

• Each Student has eight subjects they take per week, for an hour each
• Each day, a student would take only six subjects
• The subjects would bounce around the schedule

1. PRO-Longer class times
2. CON-Could be too confusing for students

The Two/Four Day Block

• Each student has eight subjects per week
• Three days a week, students take all eight courses
• Two days a week, students take four courses for a double period

1. PRO-Allows more instruction time during block days
2. CON-Hard for teachers to schedule, 

The A/B Block

• Every other day, students take four of their eight courses for a double period (aka Mon, Wed, Fri students take four courses, Tu Th students take the other four)

1. PRO-Additional instruction time
2. CON-Could be confusing for families 

"The task force is leaning towards the A/B schedule," said high school assistant principal Mark Covelle. 

The block schedule would also allow an open block of time each day for students to get additional help with coursework or add an hour for Advanced Placement or Electives work. 

A block schedule would take effect for the 2013-14 school year, allowing ample time to transition teachers, staff, and families. "This isn't going to be a quick transition," said Christman. "We're going to move slowly and thoughtfully through this process."