Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Livonianeighbors.com. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. To ensure your privacy, never use personal information in your screen name or email address ("janedoe@hotmail.com" or "Billysmom" for example).

Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
LPS Adds 7th Hour to Class Offerings; Did I miss something?
Topic Started: Feb 3 2008, 10:10 AM (746 Views)
George
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
I guess I missed something. When did the BOE approved this?


LPS adds 7th hour so high schoolers can fit more classes
By Rebecca Jones
STAFF WRITER

High school students can stay after school starting next year to tackle one additional required class per semester.

Livonia Public Schools officials are introducing the seventh-hour option as a solution for students seeking to fit electives into their schedules amid a more rigorous set of graduation requirements.


During the first semester, health class will be offered at each of the high schools. In the second semester, it's personal fitness.

These classes will also be offered during the school day. Scheduling is just getting under way.

"It's a good option for a lot of kids," said Steve Archibald, Stevenson High School principal. However, students who take part in activities right after school might also find themselves in a scheduling crunch. "Hopefully we'll get enough."

If fewer than 20 students sign up for seventh hour, the class might be canceled.

Students would be responsible for transportation home.

For Stevenson freshman Kelly Charniga, seventh hour really isn't an option.

She has gymnastics practice starting at 3 p.m. every day after school. "It's a good idea for other kids, though," she said.

New state requirements for specific courses, which take effect for the Class of 2011 (today's freshmen), reduce LPS students' elective opportunities from 12 to eight over the course of their high school careers.

Livonia Career/Technical Center principal Janet Haas took her concerns about how this would affect participation in two- and three-hour programs at her school to the state policymakers.

As a result, students can get Algebra 2 credit through Career Technical Center programs and the required senior math credit, she said. Students will also get the 20 hours of online learning experience there.

"I don't feel that we're being shortchanged anymore," she said. However, she added that fitting in the requirements takes planning, and counselors will start working with students in middle school to develop an educational plan for their high school careers.

Even if they earn enough credits, students will not be able to graduate early. District policy requires students to attend for eight semesters.

Seventh hour is also an option for students who fail a required class. Unlike summer school, students will not pay tuition.

The move will cost the district between $90,000 and $180,000 per year.

Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, American government and economics will also be offered during seventh-hour.

Although there was talk of offering before-school classes, after examining the situation, it makes more sense to offer after-school classes, rather than getting students and teachers to school at 6:30 a.m., Archibald said.

Offices already remained staffed after school until 4:30 p.m.

rrjones@hometownlife.com (734) 953-2054

http://observer-eccentric.com/apps/pbcs.dl...67JDwKA4Yfh8%3D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
George
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Sorry, I remember seeing the presentation to the BOE, but I guess, I must have missed the meeting where this was approved by the Board. Does anyone know when this happend?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BrokenRhino
Member
[ *  * ]
I like the idea. But I have doubt on how many students will participate. The only advantage I see is for a summer school replacement.

Once they add actual class in 09-10 I think it might be more effective.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
puppylover6464
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
well...it's going to be really, really helpful for kids at churchill who are involved in either the CAPA or MSC programs, as neither leaves much room for electives.

problem is, these are the kids who are so busy, that they'll either have rehearsal/sports/some other extracurricular activity after school, and won't be able to stay after for an hour every. single. day.

so i dunno.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
IDK
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Will they give out parking permits for students that take the extra class? Will they offer a pass/fail option for these electives? Sports, clubs, work, and a 7th hour? Sounds like a lot.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Sourapples
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
I'm still scratching my head wondering when the BOE ever approved of this? And what policies were put in place to manage this?

All I can say is.............. What just happened? Sounds like a plan to retain staff was pushed through without public input. Seems to benefit employees more than students.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
puppylover6464
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
IDK
Feb 4 2008, 06:18 PM
Will they give out parking permits for students that take the extra class? Will they offer a pass/fail option for these electives? Sports, clubs, work, and a 7th hour? Sounds like a lot.

the classes being offered during a 7th hour aren't electives, technically.

i mean, health and gym are "electives", but they're mandatory electives required to graduate (with both the new and old graduation requirements)

the classes they're offering in 09-10 aren't electives either, as both government and economics are required for graduation as well.

so, i don't think they'll be offered pass/fail. but i'm pretty sure students taking the classes would be offered a parking permit (as long as they were old enough, that is.)

at CHS this year, every senior who wanted a parking permit got one, and im pretty sure every junior got one too. there wasn't a waiting list posted or anything...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SamG
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Sourapples
Feb 5 2008, 08:07 AM
I'm still scratching my head wondering when the BOE ever approved of this? And what policies were put in place to manage this?

All I can say is.............. What just happened? Sounds like a plan to retain staff was pushed through without public input. Seems to benefit employees more than students.

Sounds like it will benefit staff more than students? Only if students sign up for the classes. If you don't have students, you don't need teachers.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Queen of Hearts
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
SamG
Feb 6 2008, 05:00 PM
Sourapples
Feb 5 2008, 08:07 AM
I'm still scratching my head wondering when the BOE ever approved of this? And what policies were put in place to manage this?

All I can say is.............. What just happened? Sounds like a plan to retain staff was pushed through without public input. Seems to benefit employees more than students.

Sounds like it will benefit staff more than students? Only if students sign up for the classes. If you don't have students, you don't need teachers.

Could someone explain how a 7th hour would retain staff?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · Livonia Neighbors Forum · Next Topic »
Add Reply