Jessica Raines, Executive Editor
In the 2011-12 school year, Kaneland will likely switch from the block schedule to a traditional schedule with eight classes a day, based on a recommendation the schedule committee made to the board on April 12.
Administrators cited several reasons for the proposed change, including that having full-year classes, particularly in math, will improve test scores on the ACT, allow students to understand the concepts learned more thoroughly and prevent semester- or year-long gaps between classes.
“I think having the students in class [all year] will be better rather than cramming everything into 18 weeks,” Jennifer Sayasane, schedule committee member, said.
However, the switch may also affect classes like science, which used longer time to do labs, and Advanced Placement courses, some of which are three-term and full-year classes. The traditional schedule could also make it difficult for students to “double up” and take two foreign language classes the same year, such as Spanish III and Spanish IV, which may make it more difficult to reach AP courses.
“There are definitely going to be a lot of changes,” math department chair Ken Dentino said. “It’s going to take a little more planning if students want to take AP classes because doubling up may not be an option.”
Dentino also said that data shows that students who are on a traditional schedule tend to do better on the AP test.
Some reacted positively to the change.
“It is going to help students a lot,” freshman Tyler Keenum said. “They are going to have more time for it to sink in, instead of going through two lessons a day.”
Most students seemed to like the block schedule and did not want to switch.
“Students were very much in favor of keeping the block schedule because they perceived it to be easier,” Sayasane said.
“[I think we should] leave it the way it is,” sophomore Victoria Likeum. “It seems to be working.”