Hi- we are currently on this system but we call it a "4x4". 4 Classes each semester, everyday, for 90 minutes each. I despise it- it is particularly harmful to my advanced students/ college bound for theatre seniors. We were on this for 2 years before music threw down the hammer to have their classes transitioned back to A-B schedule all year. Problem examples:
A student takes Theatre I/ Intro to Drama Fall 2014 but does not take Theatre II until Spring 2016 due to scheduling logistics. They have spent an entire year forgetting content. Same rules for music: a year break between Beginning and Intermediate Choir or Band means they're not intermediate anymore when they get there.
A senior auditioning for college who you don't have enrolled in a class the Spring of their Junior year or the Fall of their Senior Year. You see them Spring of their Senior Year once they've already had to audition.
We have AP and DE (Dual Enrollment) at our school and they continue to be all year A-B. So if you have students taking those classes they often conflict with yours and guidance puts them in those classes over yours because it looks better for the school statistically.
It also presents a problem for recruitment: students not enrolled in Theatre until the second semester often find other interests in the fall due to lack of exposure and no matter how much they like your class at the end of the year they feel obligated to continue in the other activities they already started.
The way it was presented to us was that it increased student likelihood to successfully pass their State Standards Tests. Example: Suzie takes English in the Fall, takes the Test and fails. She can be re-enrolled in English in the Spring and re-take the test. This likely means Suzie is pulled from electives in order to make this happen. Weirdly, after Suzie takes English all year long everyday she passes the test. Our school looks good on paper.
SO- yes, you could likely make it work depending on the purposes for your school switching to it. IF their reasons are similar to mine you're in a world of trouble. If you have the kind of guidance department who's willing to work with you- then it's great. If you have no goals of building your program in terms of recruitment or supporting students in their pursuit of the arts as a career beyond high school then perhaps these will not be of interest to you. It depends on the program and it's goals.
I much prefer A-B all year with 90 minute classes. I like the extended class time and prefer seeing my advanced students all year. I have tried to make the case that perhaps classes like Theatre I or Introduction to Technical Theatre could be offered on the 4x4 Semester and my Drama 2 - 4 and Tech 2 - 4 classes could be offered all year long on an A-B option. So far I've not been successful getting that implemented.
Just for some background: we are a rural single high school county with 1 middle school and 2 elementary schools.
Hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions.
Tori
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Victoria Kesling Councill
Theatre Teacher
New Kent County Public Schools
New Kent VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-08-2015 11:08
From: Susan Thompson
Subject: block scheduling
Our system is moving to the traditional block schedule for the 2015-16 school year - instead of students taking 8 classes over the span of 2 semesters, they will take 4 courses first semester and 4 courses second semester.
I would love any insight (good or bad) on how that affects drama programs, and suggestions on the best way to schedule my classes.
Thank you!
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Susan Thompson
Austin High School Drama Teacher
Decatur AL
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