BCHS school day to see big change next year
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

Burke County High School students will see quite a few changes to their class schedules next school term.

The school will start using a new class schedule model that's designed to help students be more successful in certain subjects and earn the credits they need to graduate.

Currently, a student's day consists of six hour-long classes and lunch. They have the option to take more classes in the early morning or late afternoon if they need to make up a class or want to earn additional credits.

Under the new system, an approach called composite scheduling, a student's classes will vary in length depending on the subject.

Students may take some classes that last 45 minutes each day, all year long. Other classes may last an hour and a half and only be taken for a semester.

The system, according to consultants working with BCHS, is designed to teach subjects in a format that best suits the content. It should also allow students to adapt their schedules to their learning styles.

BCHS Principal Dr. Wayne Hickman said administrators and teachers knew they needed a change to help students achieve.

"The reason we initiated this change is to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to get the classes they need in the way they need them," he said, adding that the system also allows students the opportunity to earn more credits.

Burke County will likely be the first county in this area to use the new scheduling system.

Dr. Hickman said he doesn't know of any other school systems in the region using composite scheduling.

BCHS is working with consultants who implemented the system at a school in North Carolina.

"They created it and they implemented it," Dr. Hickman said. "And they're willing to share their practical experience with us."

The North Carolina school, Watauga High School, earned distinction status using composite scheduling. The percentage of their students performing on grade level, according to standardized tests, progressed from 75.6 percent in 1999-2000, before converting to composite scheduling, to 86.9 percent in 2004-2005, four years after the switch.

Burke County Board of Education members hope local students will follow suit.

"We're excited about it," Chairman Johnny Jenkins said. "We think this is really going to help our kids."

Vice chairman Willie Latimore agreed and said he believes it will help boost the county's graduation rate.

Dr. Hickman said the school plans to hold several informational meetings for parents and students to help them understand the new system.