of block schedule

By ERIC BURKETT

Staff Writer

Teachers and parents think block scheduling at Charles Henderson High School has been a success since it was adopted by the Troy Board of Education several years ago.

Dr. Linda Felton, Charles Henderson High School principal, said, upon surveying several faculty members and parents, block scheduling at Charles Henderson High School has been a success so far.

"The faculty, according to the survey, overwhelmingly prefers block scheduling," Felton said at the regular Troy Board of Education meeting. "Of the 37 members of the faculty who responded to the survey, nearly 80 percent responded positively."

Within the current system at CHHS, students attend four 96-minutes classes per day. Ninety-two percent of responding faculty stated that fewer classes result in a safer and more secure campus. Ninety-seven percent stated they were able to vary the strategies they use during a class period to better keep the students involved in the class activities. The majority of faculty surveyed also stated student performance is better under block scheduling.

Felton said that faculty members, according to the survey, tended to have fewer discipline problems in the classroom with block scheduling, and were able to provide more flexibility in lab classes and opportunities for the closure of these learning acitvities.

Seventy percent of the faculty said they preferred a four period school day to a six period day.

Felton said parents were also surveyed, but the response to those surveys was not very high.

"We sent surveys to all parents, and only 103, or 17 percent, responded," Felton said.

Felton said that 88 percent of the parents responding to the survey felt positive about block scheduling, and 86 percent felt thair children enjoyed block scheduling. Seventy percent stated they felt their child was being challenged more with that type scheduling. Overall, 85 per cent said they would like to see CHHS remain on block scheduling.

Block scheduling began at CHHS with the 1997-98 school year. Before the current scheduling systems students attend 50-minute classes instead of the 96-minute classes they attend now.

Felton said that students are currently being surveyed, and the results would be discussed at the next regular BOE meeting.

In other BOE business, superintendent Hank Jones said a bid was awarded to low bidder Waylee Construction for $179,000 for renovations at various locations. The company will re-roof the alternative learning center, and will also repair the air conditioners in the Charles Henderson Middle School cafeteria and two classrooms.