ABSTRACT
Several additional scheduling issues are left unaddressed by the alternate day and semester plans which were discussed in Chapters 2 and 3.
It is a well-known educational axiom that some students need more time than others to master the knowledge and skills necessary to pass courses, yet the traditional system requires the student to experience failure before additional learning time and opportunities are granted. The only options for most students who experience failure are to attend summer school, to repeat a course during the following academic year, or, in the 4/4 plan, to repeat courses during the second or following semesters. Some teachers may choose to offer additional assistance before or after school or during planning and lunch periods, but a systematic plan is rarely implemented to address this issue. In short, historically, schools have not had an institutional plan to provide for students who demonstratedegrees of failure or degrees of success.
In contrast, while some students need more time to master concepts and skills, other students need less time than we currently provide and should be able to progress at an accelerated pace. Is there a structured manner in which we might exempt such students from unnecessary repetition and provide enrichment activities to them instead? Is there a schedule which would allow some students to accelerate in certain subjects?
Many districts and states are beginning to suggest community service as part of course or graduation requirements; however, students who are involved in their studies, extra-curricular activities, and after-school employment may find difficulty in meeting these new requirements.
Some states and districts are considering a requirement for all seniors to produce a portfolio or demonstration product which represents their achievements in high school. When will this work be prepared and presented?
Single-period, alternate day, and semester plan schedules do not offer students the possibility of concentrating for an extended length of time in a single area of interest.
If “variety is the spice of life”, then why do we persist in running the same schedule every day (or every other day) without a break in routine? There is a mind-numbing sameness to each day in the school year. Why not provide a break in this routine?
