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HomeNewsArchivesBLOCK SCHEDULING WORKS WELL, PRINCIPALS SAY

BLOCK SCHEDULING WORKS WELL, PRINCIPALS SAY

Block scheduling, which began at Ivanna Eudora Kean and Charlotte Amalie high schools in August, is getting high marks from the schools' principals.
The new scheduling system, which took students from seven 50-minute classes a
day to four 90-minute classes a day, is a winner for students and teachers alike, according to a Daily News report.
Sinclair Wilkinson, principal at Eudora Kean, said block scheduling has reduced absenteeism and campus violence.
And "twice as many students are on the honor roll," Wilkinson said, adding 90 percent of teachers like the new system.
Those who don't complain there's not enough material to support the block, he said, adding this reflects a lack of audio-visual equipment and materials to support lessons.
CAHS Principal Jeanette Smith echoed Wilkinson's comments and said "our challenge is getting teachers to effectively utilize the 90-minute time."
CAHS teacher Barbara Lawrence said teachers now have a smaller student load — 65 to 75 students — as opposed to about 130 before.
Lawrence said this gives her a better chance to know the students, and with fewer papers to grade, she can give more work.
Other problems facing the education system, including lack of equipment, supplies and substitute teachers and continuing theft of computers, still plague the system.

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