Block system isn't all bad (09/21/06)

To the editor:

This letter is in response to the Sept. 12 meeting with Dr. Greg Ulm, and the Sept. 13 article regarding the meeting. I have a graduate of the block schedule and a student currently attending JCHS. I can only speak of my personal experience, but I have to say it hasn't been as negative as the article may have led to believe. Block scheduling isn't perfect; it has its flaws. I myself have experienced a few, but you will find some in any system.

Some of the concerns raised at the meeting, in my opinion, were more parenting issues than scheduling ones. Continuity, for example, can be a problem if you as a parent don't stay on top of what your kids are doing. In my personal experience with block scheduling, this has never been a problem. If your child is not taking English or math or science or whatever for a whole year, how can you not know that? And if you are a professional educator, I would think it would have an even greater sense of urgency.

Block scheduling sets a fast pace for everyone. Teachers, parents, administrators and students have all got to be working together, each one doing his or her specific job, for it to work.

In my experience, most teachers are more than willing to work with a struggling student, if they are honest and step up and ask. This does sometimes require a parent's encouragement. Fast pace isn't just block scheduling; it is a way of life in the real world. "Starting over four times a year is not a bad thing. Students experience more variety of classmates and faculty. It also provides the opportunity and space to take many different things. If students are finding it "easier to flunk," it's not because "stakes are lower," it's because consequences at home aren't severe enough. And if any student of mine failed 26 credits I would not allow them to graduate. As for the statement, "if your child fails, you don't get a refund": O.K., teacher, let's get real. If you were teaching the class, should that come out of your pocket? You were the adult in charge.

Listen people, failures happen in life. What we as parents have to teach our kids is it doesn't mean you can't do it, period. It means you couldn't that time, but don't ever let it make you afraid to try again. Does this mean it's acceptable? No, it means it happens, and it's not the end of the world.

This is one of the good things about block. If they as students or we as parents don't think it worked as well as it could have the first time, they can try again. Of course, this is not an open invitation to take advantage. That's where the adults need to be paying attention. And any teacher, past or present, that has eight to 10 students failing their class multiple times in the same year needs to re-examine his or her teaching methods. Eight or 10 kids in a class size of approximately 20? You do the math.

It has been my experience that the guidance department at JCHS is top-notch. It's not their job to "keep you informed." It is your responsibility as a parent to stay informed. Guidance should merely be a resource for your and your student to work together. So if you're not informed, start with your student. Make it crystal clear who calls the shots in their education. Stop asking what kind of classes they would like to take. Listen to their input, because their feelings are important. But ultimately, adults need to make the decisions. Remember, their brains aren't done developing yet.

As for the block system, let's all work together and fix what we have; just like they are doing with the building.

Theresa Cavanaugh

Portland[[In-content Ad]]