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Brick High School Moves To Block Scheduling
Some Classes Will Alternate Every Other Day Under New Schedule
By Keith Hagarty
In an effort to improve grades, behavior and provide a better education, the Township Board of Education recently adopted block scheduling for Brick Township High School (BTHS). The scheduling will begin in September.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Schools Walter Hrycenko, the new block scheduling would include 80-minute long sets of classes, alternating every other day.
Citing research from a 2006-2007 study from the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, Hrycenko said block scheduling has not only been shown to improve grades, but it is believed to contribute to positive behavior and overall attendance figures.
Because of the increased class time, Hrycenko said students would gain more depth in individual subject matter, and would graduate with 160 credits, 20 more credits than the standard 140-credit system.
While some parents applaud the move to block scheduling at the high school, other parents expressed reservations.
While she didn't nix of the idea of block scheduling, resident Belinda MacTavish said she still would have liked to have had more information and seen a broader review on the subject before the board's adoption.
"It sounds like a good idea from everything I've read and heard, I'm not doubting that," MacTavish said the week following the board's announcement, "but I'm not sure why they felt the need to enact it so quickly. It was like no matter what we (the parents) thought, they were going to go ahead and do it, regardless."
However, parents like Jeremy Marshall believe switching the high school over to block scheduling is long overdue.
"I'm really pleased with it," said Marshall, whose son, John, currently attends BTHS. "I love the idea of him having a little bit of break in between classes. It'll give a day in between to catch up on his tougher subjects. I mean, having a day in between to figure out and catch up on some of his Calculus or Trig or whatever he has at all. It doesn't sound so bad right now- but I guess we'll see how it goes."
In the end, only time will tell if block scheduling will be deemed a success, said parent Moira Delancey.
"Anytime there's change, there's always going to be concern- especially anything in the schools," she said. "This might be great thing or it'll be a disappointment, but until we see it in action over time, we can't honestly say whether it's going to be the best or worst, or somewhere in between."
Because of the newly adopted scheduling, teachers will begin training immediately on how to adapt to the block scheduling system, with sessions beginning this month and an additional three-day seminar slated for August.
Similar exams will be used in both BTHS and Brick Memorial High School to compare and evaluate the ongoing progress of the new block scheduling system, the district announced. If the program is deemed successful at BTHS, the board will then decide if a block scheduling system should also be initiated in Brick Memorial High School.
The board plans to hold a public forum in March where residents will have a chance to voice their opinion on the high school's newly adopted block scheduling plan.
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