Muskego Middle Schools Undergo Scheduling Changes

Debate continued Monday night at the Muskego-Norway School Board meeting over the merits of changes proposed to middle school programming.

The most distinctive changes include lengthening some class periods for math and science to allow for more in-depth instruction and additional help to students who need it. It also encourages writing across the curriculum to help students learn subjects better. The concept is that even in a math class, if a student is required to write their explanations, they develop a better understanding of the subject as they themselves have to verbalize it.

Tammy Gibbons, Director of School Performance, led the committee of 38, which included teachers, parents and a few students, and said they were excited at the possibilities to move closer to exemplary status.

"Right now, we're standing still, while others are moving forward," she said.

Superintendent Dr. Joe Schroeder agreed with the plan, stating, "it's not just about closing gaps, it's about raising the bar. We aren't here to help most students, we're here as our mission states to make sure every student is learning, growing, succeeding."

However, concern over the time they had to review a plan that was about 11 months in the making was expressed by board members.

"I'm frustrated with the fact that we haven't had a lot of time with this," said Dean Strom, board treasurer. "We were presented with this two weeks ago, and it is a big change."

Schroeder offered that the board could hold off on a vote for another two weeks, but reminded them that their agendae are "never light," and 4K recommendations would be next on the list for review.

Additional changes would include 10 additional minutes to the school day, without bells signaling the end of class periods as some courses would be 50 minutes, and others 75. Intervention periods would provide additional instruction to students who are struggling in a particular subject, with other students allowed to use the time as an elective period to further develop their skills.  Schroeder likened it to a basketball practice.

"If you're a coach, and you see some players needing further practice on the left-handed layup, you will take those players aside after some time to work with them. The other players will in the meantime continue to work on more advanced skills, and it's done in the same gym," he said.

The board voted 5-1 (Mike Serdynski was the opposing vote) to adopt the changes.  The initial phase will involve the extended block scheduling for seventh and eighth grades and implement an enrichment elective along with intervention periods, and will begin in the 2012-2013 school year.

Phase II recommendations include providing music and world languages at earlier grades (grade six), and eliminate a separate writing class, and will be implemented in the 2013-2014 school year.