Blocks are (almost) a lock…for now

Milton administrators are considering switching from a semester block to a period class schedule, but the change is not planned for next year.

In the 2013-14 school year, Milton switched from nine periods a day to the current block schedule, said Co-Principal Mr. Andrew Rantz.

According to Mr. Rantz, the move to periods has been discussed for the past couple years. He added, with the new superintendent, there is more willingness to consider these changes. Though, any changes are not planned for next year, said Mr. Rantz.

“If we would look at a change, we would be targeting 2024-25 school year, and that’s still an if. There’s nothing set in stone,” said Mr. Rantz.

The administration made the decision to slow down and take the time to look into the possibility thoroughly before making any ultimate changes, he added.

They have looked into examples of period schedules and how they would work with Milton’s school day, according to Mr. Rantz. He said that it is too early to tell what exact plans and procedures will be implemented to change from a block to period schedule.

“I don’t know what we are going to do yet, but we are at least having the conversations,” added Mr. Rantz.

According to Mr. Rantz, the major advantage of a period schedule is that it has the potential to better maximize teachers’ time and allow them to work with students more.

English Teacher Ms. Angela Ranck said Milton should “100 percent” switch to a period schedule because teachers will be able to teach the same students all year long, and it allows them to focus on one thing at a time in class.

She added that absences would not impact the students as greatly as they do in the current block schedule, and students will have more room in their schedule to take more electives.

There are cons of having to deal with seven or eight classes compared to four, such as having more transition times between classes and students having to adjust to shorter classes, said Mr. Rantz.

According to Ms. Ranck, students will need to learn more responsibility when it comes to balancing their work, especially with more classes.

Mr. Rantz said the pros for a block schedule are students only have to focus on four classes at a time, there is less transition time, and administration has the ability to rearrange a student’s second semester schedule if they must retake a class or need a class changed.

This can also allow students to “double up” on classes to get ahead, added Math Teacher Mr. Jonathan Dick.

In a period schedule, students can still graduate early, said Mr. Rantz.

“It’s still doable, but it will take a little extra creativity in scheduling,” he added.

Having half the classes and students makes it easier for teachers, added Ms. Ranck.

A drawback of a block schedule is that 82 minutes can be a long time to be in a classroom, according to Mr. Rantz. Mr. Dick added that these longer classes come with the pro of more in-depth teaching time, which is beneficial for science classes with labs and CTE classes.

“I know that even in math class, a longer period sometimes allows for a more investigative approach to a lesson: where we actually do mathematics rather than just learn about mathematics – a crucial difference,” said Mr. Dick.

According to Gym Teacher Ms. Heather Welsh, block scheduling allows the gym students more time for warm up activities and more freedom in choosing activities.

“With 45-minute classes, students only get a total of 30 minutes or less of play time due to locker room change time at the beginning and end of class,” said Ms. Welsh.

Mr. Rantz said that with the block schedule, there is the potential issue of someone taking a class first semester one year and not having that subject again until the second semester the following year.

“That would make you go one full calendar year without that area. That’s a long time to go without honing your skills and building upon content,” added Mr. Rantz.

These “learning gaps” can make the effect of not having school, which is a common concern among educators, in the summer seem “miniscule,” said Mr. Dick.

According to Mr. Dick, only having four class slots can make it difficult to accommodate students’ needs in scheduling because there are fewer scheduling options.

“The biggest con is the fact that there are classes that students can’t get into because they only have so many blocks to fit it in. Also, the block is too long for students that struggle with school because we often are doing multiple things in one block,” said Ms. Ranck.

Mr. Dick added what is best is different for every school based on their goals and situations.

“[It’s] not my place to give my personal opinion on a matter like this, but I am confident that those in power are going to weigh everything and make the choice they think is best for our school as a whole,” said Mr. Dick.