Two more benefits of schedule switch

I'm a junior currently attending Mundelein High School. I read your article, "Mundelein High considering ending block schedule", where you discuss the possible change of class schedule and the pros and cons of such a switch. But I feel you missed two key benefits of a new schedule.

I've been through the block schedule for almost three years. It's the only schedule I know. But, I'm a strong supporter of the eight-period schedule.

For one, the shorter class times would help keep students focused and engaged throughout the whole class. In Mundelein's current 90-minute classes, people often lose focus partway through or focus only on a handout and not the lesson. With shorter classes, more of the class will be learning, whether through a teacher speaking or an activity.

Either way, the students will be more engaged for a longer time. I can't count how many times I've looked at a clock and thought "you can do it, only 30 minutes left." With a 50-minute class, time will go by much faster and improve the quality of the lesson. Teachers will have to make sure that they are not straying from the original topic.

A second major benefit is the number of class days. This is important, especially for AP students like me. With the new schedule, students wouldn't go months without looking at course materials before taking the AP test. They would be learning until the test.

This would reduce so much stress in the students' lives as they wouldn't have to worry about relearning an entire course before the AP test. This would also allow teachers to go more in-depth with each lesson, since they would have more class time in the entire year than they do now.

Lucy Renz

Mundelein