"4x4" block at Wilson HS next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everybody calm down. Yesterday the Wilson Beacon, the school newspaper, reported that the Chancellor's office said it would be up to the Principal to decide if they would do the 4X4 schedule, and she said she would not do it.

I'd like to get a firm commitment from her. Or better yet, from Mr. Pinder. I'm sorry to sound cynical, but this is 100% different than what teachers have been told so far. Basically "don't even bother complaining because this is a done deal." If we come back in August and the 4 x 4 block schedule has been created, it will be too late. Registration and scheduling will be happening soon, so the conversation has to happen now.

This is the email I just sent to both Pinder and the principal:

Dear Mr. Pinder & Ms. Wilson—
Is a 4x4 block schedule being implemented at Wilson HS next year? If so, what is the reasoning and research for this change? Is this driven by Wilson HS educators or by DCPS? As a public school administrator and as a parent of a rising senior, I am strongly opposed to any such change.

A block schedule significantly impacts a student who is ill and misses a week of instruction in a core course. That can be managed within a year-long course. It can set a student back in a block schedule. My child is taking several AP courses. I cannot imagine how he would be expected to take an AP course in the first semester, yet be prepared for an early May administration.

Any information is appreciated. Thank you

[Anonymous]

How does that work for foreign language electives? You only take it half a year for four years. That's terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does that work for foreign language electives? You only take it half a year for four years. That's terrible.

Or you would take it every semester for 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does that work for foreign language electives? You only take it half a year for four years. That's terrible.

Or you would take it every semester for 2 years.

Which means if you came from a middle school that offers languages, as does the largest proportion of Wilson students (from Deal and Oyster, not sure about Hardy), you could easily run out of courses to take by the end of sophomore year. Mine is already out of languages to take at Wilson for senior year, having finished two AP language courses.

This proposal is not appropriate for the extremely diverse Wilson student body. It seems designed to serve those who are at risk of flunking classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does that work for foreign language electives? You only take it half a year for four years. That's terrible.

Or you would take it every semester for 2 years.

Which means if you came from a middle school that offers languages, as does the largest proportion of Wilson students (from Deal and Oyster, not sure about Hardy), you could easily run out of courses to take by the end of sophomore year. Mine is already out of languages to take at Wilson for senior year, having finished two AP language courses.

This proposal is not appropriate for some of the extremely diverse Wilson student body. It seems designed to serve those who are at risk of flunking classes.

With more than half of Wilson seniors not on track to graduate, it may be appropriate. And those students are part of the student body too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does that work for foreign language electives? You only take it half a year for four years. That's terrible.

Or you would take it every semester for 2 years.

Which means if you came from a middle school that offers languages, as does the largest proportion of Wilson students (from Deal and Oyster, not sure about Hardy), you could easily run out of courses to take by the end of sophomore year. Mine is already out of languages to take at Wilson for senior year, having finished two AP language courses.

This proposal is not appropriate for some of the extremely diverse Wilson student body. It seems designed to serve those who are at risk of flunking classes.

With more than half of Wilson seniors not on track to graduate, it may be appropriate. And those students are part of the student body too.

Of course struggling kids are part of the student body at any public school, but public schools are supposed to serve ALL students, not one subset of students.

BTW, those "off track to graduate" numbers are going to need to be rerun, because they apparently included large numbers of kids who are doing OK academically, but who are behind on community service hours, which they can easily make up over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Just got a response from Pinder:

Hello,

At this time the district is only in the exploration phase for scheduling for next year and I am over Cluster 9.

I am copying Dr. Bey on this email as she is the superintendent over Wilson.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does that work for foreign language electives? You only take it half a year for four years. That's terrible.

Or you would take it every semester for 2 years.

Which means if you came from a middle school that offers languages, as does the largest proportion of Wilson students (from Deal and Oyster, not sure about Hardy), you could easily run out of courses to take by the end of sophomore year. Mine is already out of languages to take at Wilson for senior year, having finished two AP language courses.

This proposal is not appropriate for some of the extremely diverse Wilson student body. It seems designed to serve those who are at risk of flunking classes.

With more than half of Wilson seniors not on track to graduate, it may be appropriate. And those students are part of the student body too.

I believe that many of the students technically "not on track to graduate" are considered so because they haven't yet completed their community service hours.

[Anonymous]

My friend growing up switched HS to one with block classes. Block classes are better for kids with LDs and anxiety disorders. I wonder if there is data with block classes and improvements for at risk students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend growing up switched HS to one with block classes. Block classes are better for kids with LDs and anxiety disorders. I wonder if there is data with block classes and improvements for at risk students?

Wilson already uses a block schedule, but most courses are taken for a full year. https://wilsonhs.org/apps/bell_schedules/printerfriendly.jsp

What is being proposed would compress classes into one semester -- so students would take 4 classes in total in the fall semester, and 4 others in the spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend growing up switched HS to one with block classes. Block classes are better for kids with LDs and anxiety disorders. I wonder if there is data with block classes and improvements for at risk students?

Wilson already uses a block schedule, but most courses are taken for a full year. https://wilsonhs.org/apps/bell_schedules/printerfriendly.jsp

What is being proposed would compress classes into one semester -- so students would take 4 classes in total in the fall semester, and 4 others in the spring.

Oh strange! Disregard my comment then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend growing up switched HS to one with block classes. Block classes are better for kids with LDs and anxiety disorders. I wonder if there is data with block classes and improvements for at risk students?

Wilson already uses a block schedule, but most courses are taken for a full year. https://wilsonhs.org/apps/bell_schedules/printerfriendly.jsp

What is being proposed would compress classes into one semester -- so students would take 4 classes in total in the fall semester, and 4 others in the spring.

Oh strange! Disregard my comment then.

This system is used at some private schools; they like it because it allows more in depth study and mimics typical college semester-long courses.

[Anonymous]

One has to wonder why DCPS continues to float unpopular initiatives like this (at Wilson and everywhere else, but here we're talking about Wilson). Anyone could foresee this latest one would be unpopular. Do they enjoy making families angry? Is the benefit really worth it? If their motivation is to help students graduate, is their premise even correct?

[Anonymous]

Students who fail classes (due to absences or because of learning/preparation issues) clearly need interventions. An opportunity to take the same class again the next semester, with no other variable changing, is not necessarily going to make them successful. Where are truly innovative ideas about providing academic support the first time they take the class? Or creating programs that home in on the reasons so many students are chronically absent or tardy and address these situations? Of course, unlike juggling the schedule, these initiatives would cost money and "human capital" as DCPS calls it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One has to wonder why DCPS continues to float unpopular initiatives like this (at Wilson and everywhere else, but here we're talking about Wilson). Anyone could foresee this latest one would be unpopular. Do they enjoy making families angry? Is the benefit really worth it? If their motivation is to help students graduate, is their premise even correct?

They enjoy pulling the rug out from under programs that are threatening to be somewhat successful. They love riled-up parents who spend all of their time gearing up for and responding to these absurd proposals. It distracts from the larger problems of DCPS. They did it to SWW with the shared-principal BS, they do it to Fillmore every year, and they're always throwing Wilson to the dogs. It's a hobby for bored administrators.