District proposes changes to high school bell schedule District proposes changes to high school bell schedule (January 06, 2006)

Parents said 'no' to first proposal, review second
by Rebecca Guyon

Responding to negative feedback from parents, the district presented a new proposed bell schedule for Amador and Foothill high schools in December which establishes a new teacher collaboration period at each school. Under the new schedule if approved, first period would start at 7 a.m. every day except Wednesday when first period would not meet and second period classes would start at 9:02 a.m. The original proposal had classes starting at 6:53 a.m., which parents said was too early.

A collaboration period is time for teachers within the same discipline to meet and discuss professional issues and work to standardize classroom expectations. The middle and elementary schools established collaboration periods in 1990. The Association of Pleasanton Teachers negotiated a weekly collaboration period for the high school teachers as part of this year's contract.

"There is a lot of pressure for teachers to teach a similar program," said APT President Jaquelyn Smith. "That does not happen by magic. It requires time for teachers to come together and decide how the courses will be taught. All studies point to the need for interdepartmental collaboration."

Creating collaboration periods after school or during lunch is not an option because many teachers meet with students during those times, Smith said.

The teachers had originally asked for a 56 minute collaboration period, but agreed to shorten it to 43 minutes so first period classes would not have to start before 7 a.m. Other parent concerns included the loss of instructional minutes and that the change would be implemented after students set their schedules for the year. First period classes are an optional period for students who prefer the early start or want to take seven classes.

If the new schedule is approved, first period classes will meet for 63 minutes four days a week. Second through seventh period classes will meet for 56 meets four days a week and 49 minutes on Wednesday. School will end at 3:09 p.m. every day.

Amador and Foothill met with parents once the new proposal was announced. Both meetings had low attendance, but the parents at the meetings were generally positive about the new schedule.

"One parent had attended the meetings last year and said she felt the parent concerns were addressed with the new schedule," said Foothill Principal Kevin Johnson.

Amador Principal Bill Coupe said parents at the Amador meeting supported the concept of collaboration, but were still concerned about the late start on Wednesday and the loss of instructional minutes.

"I think the loss of instructional minutes is addressed by the positive outcomes from collaboration in terms of more powerful instruction for kids," Coupe said. "I think we'll see an increase in achievement data as teachers will be able to discuss best practices, curriculum education and different strategies that will support student achievement in the classroom."

The district is looking to implement the new schedule for the start of the 2006 school year, but first the district staff will review the parent feedback from the recent meetings and have a meeting with eighth grade parents. The schedule also has to be approved by the board of trustees before it can be implemented.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.