Revised Schedule for Hellgate Classes Fuels Diverse Viewpoints Among Pupils
In schools across the country, a shift in scheduling is causing ripples among students and teachers alike. The new schedule, incorporating shorter class periods, earlier start and end times, and unusual class scheduling, has been met with a mix of praise and concerns.
Anna Bacon, a dedicated teacher, finds the new schedule beneficial for students in activities, but her opinion on the system as a whole is mixed. She does not express a preference for an earlier or later dismissal and does not mention any inconvenience caused by the shorter class periods or the early morning with five periods before lunch. However, she does note that the earlier dismissal can be confusing for students, particularly those who take the city bus and must find something to do until their bus arrives.
The new schedule has been met with a range of reactions from students. Hadley Henderson, a sophomore, has mixed feelings. She likes starting earlier for increased productivity but finds the Thursday early out schedule with office hours too rushed. Story Land, a junior, finds the new Thursday class schedule inconvenient, particularly due to the shorter class periods (34 minutes) and an early morning with five periods before lunch. On the other hand, Ben Bryant, another junior, does not find the new schedule times inconvenient and prefers the earlier dismissal over a late start.
The advantages of the new schedule are numerous. Schools adopting modified schedules such as four-day weeks with condensed daily hours report increased staff morale and reductions in fighting and bullying among high school students[1]. Parents appreciate schedules that allow more family time, often preferring condensed schedules like four-day weeks despite some concerns from educational experts[1]. The shorter classes can potentially help students concentrate better during lessons, and grouping students with similar needs during extra instructional time enables teachers to target content more effectively[4].
However, there are also disadvantages to consider. Shorter class periods and condensed schedules may lead to less instructional time overall, potentially harming learning outcomes if daily hours are not sufficiently long to compensate[1][3]. For some instructional methods like flipped classrooms, students may struggle with out-of-class preparation, which can be exacerbated by unusual or compressed scheduling[2]. Earlier start and end times can affect sleep patterns and overall scheduling flexibility, potentially leading to fatigue or difficulty adjusting for both students and teachers[1].
As for scheduling classes on numbers like 38 and 12, there is no direct research evidence about the effects of this practice in the available results. This could refer to block numbering or period labeling unique to certain schools, but no research or anecdotal evidence from the results highlights impacts of this practice.
In summary, the new school schedules with shorter classes and changed start/end times can improve staff morale and family time but may risk reducing instructional depth and complicating student engagement. The effectiveness depends greatly on how total instructional time is structured and how both students and teachers adjust to the new rhythm[1][3][4]. It's a balancing act between the benefits and drawbacks, and only time will tell how these new schedules will shape the educational landscape.
References:
[1] "The Impact of Modified School Schedules on Student Achievement and School Culture." (2018). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6080255/
[2] "Flipped Classroom: A Review of the Research." (2014). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4163851/
[3] "The Effects of Shortened Class Periods on Student Learning and Teacher Workload." (2017). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324308073_The_Effects_of_Shortened_Class_Periods_on_Student_Learning_and_Teacher_Workload
[4] "Targeted Instruction: A Strategy for Improving Student Achievement." (2016). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5071635/
Education and self-development can be influenced by the new school schedules in various ways. For instance, shorter class periods might facilitate better concentration during lessons, potentially aiding student focus and learning prowess. On the other hand, the inconvenience of earlier start times and condensed schedules might disrupt routines, affecting overall scheduling flexibility and possibly leading to fatigue.
