This year, for the first time, all of the district’s high schools switched over to a 45-minute, nine-class schedule. Previously school days consisted of four classes lasting an hour and a half each. The new schedule brings about a multitude of new problems and issues, and the cons outweigh the pros in terms of making things easier on teachers and students.

With the new schedule and rules, which prohibits double-blocking of classes, teachers pick up one more class, and coaches pick up two more, which ensures that more teachers can keep their jobs. Unfortunately the change gives students less time to learn and work in class, and teachers scramble to teach lessons in the shorter amount of time. Furthermore 45-minute classes leave students less prepared for college courses once they do graduate, as college classes tend to take place over the course of several hours. The cut in time takes the learning process a few steps back rather than encouraging the progress of students.

The shorter amount of time along with twice the class periods results in a larger homework load, although the district promised to put regulations in place restricting the amount of homework given. If students are expected to adjust to having seemingly less class time, they should at least get some type of crutch in terms of work completed away from the classroom setting. It isn’t unreasonable to hold the district to their word on this subject, as it affects students in a drastic way. This is a school, where learning not only math and literature but also values and honesty should be key.

Some argue that the schedule saves teachers’ jobs, which makes sense. If the old schedule remained, budget cuts would have lead to firing valuable teachers. Now that the teachers are ensured a position, however, a few problems need to be worked out. Although classes seem to fly by, not enough time is spent learning and attaining information necessary for a successful high school career.

In this situation what needs to be done is simple. The schedule most will likely stay the same. What should change, however, is the amount of homework completed. If a cap is placed on the amount of assignments teachers are allowed to give students as homework, the transition will become much easier. And nobody ever complained about not having enough homework.