Bartow High Schools To Operate on 'Modified' Block Schedule

Starting this fall, high schools in the Bartow County School System will operate on a modified block schedule.

The school day will be divided into four 80-minute periods and a 30-minute block, which will be used to address students’ academic needs of remediation or acceleration in specific content, the school system said in a press release.

The change in structure will allow students to better utilize the variety of opportunities offered such as dual enrollment, work-based learning and career pathways. These programs are intended to increase learning, graduation rates and student success.

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The school system argues the modified block schedule will offer the following benefits to our students:

• Grants opportunity to earn 32 credits while only 23 are needed for graduation;
• Improves the usage of technology in the classroom and brings greater success to the digital conversion by giving teachers and students additional time each period;
• Allows for more in-depth learning and hands-on lab time;
• Provides opportunity to earn multiple pathway credentials;
• Greater chance for credit recovery, if necessary;
• Gives advanced students more time for AP or college coursework;
• Allows fine arts students the opportunity to take two consecutive semesters of chorus, dance or band, in addition to six other academic or elective courses in a school year; and
• Familiarizes college-bound students with the post-secondary schedule.

Tell us: what do you think of the scheduling change?

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