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Show - WX High Has Fourth Option He cited a more favorable pupil-teacher ratio, student flexibility to accelerate their program in academic or elective elec-tive areas and ability to sche- I " dule some classes topically taken either one, two or all three terms. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 By TOM BUSSELBERG North Countv Editor V WOODS CROSS -In more V I Janashghtturn ofevents. last II Wednesday night. Woods tr" High School student. J " parents presented a fourl- 7eng option the hoard c "taion will now have t ponder. V,f!iDREDS of (he high f l s patrons converged J Wial PTA meetinL :ire lhe new "Trimester" . was to he explainer ' : ! Spared with the so . d 'Eight Period Dav Gently adopted bv tfTr,n8 untiful Hiur Ud already well cn . " Dav High. Vim Principal Mike -ho "authored" the nel to field ques- Northern ended up fe ? on the eight-period .scvcn-period expan- t e, TO six period y the end of this school AUDERTHE seven-period. day. classes would run 50 minutes mi-nutes vs. the current 55 in the six period, allowing students to take the mandated courses plus some electives, including released time seminary--a major ma-jor concern to many at the meeting. The trimester they were expected ex-pected to discuss would include in-clude five vlase periods of 70 ii,.,iutes each running for 60 school days. The year would be divided into three semesters vs. two. meaning students could take up to 15 classes a year, although many would overlap into at least two terms, such as English, math or social studies. THE FUROR behind trying to switch from the "traditional" "tradition-al" six period day came about after the state board of education educa-tion opted for 24 credits required re-quired in high school, including includ-ing 9th grade, meaning there'd be little time to take LDS seminary semi-nary or some other options. Davis High's eight period schedule means students attend four classes of 85-90 minutes mi-nutes each, daily, meaning they see their teachers two-three two-three limes a week vs. daily. As Mr. Jarmen pointed out. it allows time for more electives or extra-curricular-type classes clas-ses to be conducted during the regular school day. but means students don't have the daily contact with teachers that at times might be necessary. SURVEY OF teachers taken about five years ago initially found backing for the eight period day. he said, but after the trimester was explained, nearly seven-one were in favor and a check of 150-200 students stu-dents showed about nine to one in favor, he related. He outlined nine pluses for trimester over eight period: allows more time-on-task per credit, with students taking 140 hours per credit vs. 129 although 165 is utilized under the six period while 150 would be needed with the seven period. OTHER ITEMS in support included: classes meeting daily dai-ly per term: three grading periods vs. four with each grading period giving credit: students can "better focus" on five classes than eight and advanced adv-anced placement and music classes, among others, could be extended to a full year. Woods X Higl Has A Fourth Class Option loncer. Bountiful. View Davis are set toimrfc"1 continuelthe eighty come fall, m"'' -ithoueh parents and"-didn't and"-didn't vote on a se-option. se-option. LaytonanJl -are set to continue i period with nr seventh. CONTINUED FROM FRONT r THERE WAS some complaint com-plaint advantages to the eight period weren't aired but the lower number of hours needed before credit could be earned-129-raised vocal concern Irom several who feared colleges col-leges and universities might show less favor to such students. stu-dents. One man said he knew at least one university did take such scheduling into account when awarded scholarships going beyond grades listed on transcripts. Some also questioned teachers ha'ving preparation period for one-fourth of the school day under the eight period vs. about 20 percent with trimester. Under a seven period day. teachers would utilize one period for preparation prepara-tion one term and two the other. ASKKD WHY school couldn the lengthened beyond the 7:45 a.m.-2:30 as proposed prop-osed . or 20 minutes longer than currently. Principal Richard Allen said athletic scheduling with Sal. Lake City schools has dictated the dismissal lime, lie said it's planned to schedule those events later next year allowing for at least a 2:.nl dismissal. School Board Member Ray Briscoe, who represents the Woods Cross area, said he believed be-lieved the eight-period would allow bigger time blocks "where you can be a little more efficient" in teaching but emphasized "parents' desires should come first on scheduling." sche-duling." OTHERS questioned the larger time blocks when it comes to student attention span, with one student complaining com-plaining some students already sleep during the 55 minute period while another compared com-pared it to what he estimated was half a church congregation sleeping on any given Sunday. Surveys were to be sent to about 2.5(H) respondents in the Woods Cross coverage area early this week seeking their input for submittal to the board of education in their March 6 meeting. In addition to noting which of the schedules they preferred: eight-period day. trimester or seven period, they were also asked to indicate if they wanted the change for next fall or in the 1985-Sft year. DR. BRISCOE has pushed for a change for the coming year. Asst. Supt. day lo Stevenson indicated Thursday the seven period day could be implemented at no extra cost although teachers would have to teach about 20 minutes |
