Editorial: Community's involvement critical to school scheduling decision

Questions have been raised before about Mundelein High School's class schedule, but the latest examination has a more urgent, more critical feel.

Administrators voiced concerns about the school's block schedule voiced in terms that were strong, pointed and alarming. Clearly, the issue warrants a serious, fresh look by Mundelein High School District 120 school board members. And beyond that, it will require attention and input from the community to decide if the schedule best meets the needs of all students.

The issue centers on the schedule that calls for four 90-minute class periods a day instead of the traditional eight 50-minute sessions. Mundelein High put it in place during the 1996-97 school year with two goals in mind. One, to increase the amount of class time during which teachers could go in-depth with lessons. The other, to reduce the number of passing periods and consequent "negative student actions" that were occurring.

Now, though, administrators citing independent studies and their own experiences say students on the block schedule don't perform as well on end-of-year tests and on Advanced Placement tests as those who attend schools with tradition class day schedules. "It hurts our kids," teacher Dean Petros said during a presentation to the school board.

This isn't the first time the issue has been studied at Mundelein High School. Officials also investigated ending the block schedule in 2004, but took no action.

Of the 20 public high school districts in Lake County, 17 have traditional schedules. Two of the remaining three have modified block or traditional schedules. Wauconda High School, Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville and Jacobs High in Algonquin all tried block schedules but reverted to traditional school days in recent years.

Despite such concerns, block scheduling does still have proponents nationwide who say longer periods allow more time for hands-on learning and discourage long lectures. Students also can have a more diverse schedule over a high school career because courses are completed quicker.

The schedule is very popular among students and parents at Rolling Meadows High School, where it has been in place for many years. Even at Mundelein High, many parents say their children have flourished under block classes because there is less stress in managing four schedules of homework, tests, quizzes and assignments rather than eight. They say it also gives their children greater opportunities for extracurriculars.

So District 120 officials have to sort through a complex range of pros and cons. Administrators have clearly shown the issue is important, but the possibility of a change - and what that change should be - needs a broad and candid airing.

The district plans surveys of students and teachers and will seek input from parents. It's important for all groups to become engaged so that the decision whether to keep or change the status quo isn't just a board or administrative action, but a reflection from the entire community on what's best for all Mundelein High students.