The administrative idea for a 4×4 schedule is postponed for now. It will not happen next school year, but it could still be considered for upcoming years.
How would the 4×4 system work if implemented in the future? Students would have the same four classes, every day, all semester. A student would complete four classes in one semester and then go to the other four classes in second semester. As opposed to having all 4 of your classes on A days and another 4 classes on B days for the entire year.
The 4×4 schedule allows for students to keep a consistent effort in classes, doing the same work every day without any diversion. The benefits of this schedule mostly have to do with the greater consistency. Teachers are able to quickly notice and focus on students who may be struggling, as well as having a lesser workload, only having to grade half the students they usually do. This could mean quicker Aspen updates. Students would also be able to foster more connection with friends, getting to see each other every day for a semester.
However, there may be some significant downsides to this new schedule.
Our school already struggles with scheduling in a way that accommodates all of our students and their wants. Imagine having all core classes or all AP classes in one semester? Being overwhelmed with class work with no rest from any electives for an entire semester would be unpleasant to say the least. This also has issues with the fact that students could have two classes in the same subject two semesters apart, making it harder to remember important concepts.
IB classes, which must (according to the IB program) be taken all year would be exempt from this 4×4 schedule as they keep the 4×8 schedule. This brings about a whole other set of scheduling issues. Having A-B classes layered with a 4×4 schedule could lead people with holes in their schedules, especially given that only IB and a few other class types would be given this exception. One would assume that AP classes, classes that test at the same time as IB classes and have the same level of rigor would also be given this exemption, however, they are not as of the original plan. AP classes will be stuck on the same 4×4 schedule as all other classes. What if a student takes an AP class in first semester? Could a student do worse on the AP exams, having five months between learning and testing? What do AP teachers think about it?
“The school would either have to create a new class to basically review first semester information, but that takes up teacher slots. Which means students will just have to come in after school for several days to review which could be difficult if you have after-school commitments,” Mr. Josh Gazaway said.
This would not benefit those who are most committed in school, with the most extracurricular activities. They would be punished the most under this system.
There are issues for arts and other elective classes. Pitchfork has to be able to report on stories all year and won’t be able to unless it gets two periods or the 4×8 option. This could potentially be a major detriment to the program. The drama departments wouldn’t be able to have all of their students rehearse in class for their many yearly productions.
While this proposed schedule seems as though it could have many benefits for core classes, it has major issues for elective and advanced placement classes. Unless the administration comes up with some innovative solutions, this change could harm our most driven students the hardest.
