It wasn’t a surprise for me to find out that the Baldwin County Board of Education is considering a change in high school schedules. This change would take them back to a seven-period school day as it was before 1995.

In 1995, against the wishes of some Baldwin County parents, the high school schedule was changed from the normal seven classes a day for the whole school year to a four-one hour and a half class time called a "block schedule" ending at Christmas break. The students would pick up four new classes in January.

It was a very difficult change to adjust to with students attending an entire class time in four months as it is done in college. Even with the added time for class periods (an hour and a half) having four months to get through all the material and retain it, is much harder. There is no time for remedial work. These high school years are laying a foundation for further learning and if they have to rush through their studies, trying to cram in their heads what they would normally learn over a whole year, it’s no wonder the Board of Education is considering the change.

Only those students at the top of their class can handle a workload similar to a college system.

Originally, it seemed like a good idea to allow science labs more time for study but as many parents could see (including myself) there would be difficulties in students retaining what they learned during such a short time. Enter "No Child Left Behind", the federal law passed in 2001, which requires a lot more paperwork for teachers to do for their students and more scrutinizing in test scores from the federal government. With "No Child Left Behind" the Baldwin County Board could see the drop in test scores and after running the "block schedule" for 12 years, it’s weaknesses in the high school grades are beginning to show.

I had four of my own children go through the "block schedule" in Robertsdale High School and while their problems were minimal, I knew of other students having a hard time keeping up with the schedule of four classes a semester.

There were other proposals submitted to the Board as well to help improve student performance. Eliminate exam exemptions, offer summer school at two locations in the county, allow dual enrollment with a community college and allow students to get partial credit for classes if a student fails the second nine-week class time in a semester. All of this might help students better retain what they have learned but giving more time for study and retention in classes would be the best solution to the continuing problem of learning all that is needed for graduation. If the change is made, it wouldn’t start until the 2009-2010 school year.

The decision is in the hands of the County BOE and finding a way to improve test scores and be in compliance with "No Child Left Behind" should be the number one priority for our children. Only time will tell they're outcome.

Loxley resident Valerie J. Steimle is the author of two books, “Home Is Where The Heart Is, A look at strengthening the American Family,” and her latest book, “Home Is Where The Learning Is” (www.amazon.com/gp/product/1403379637). Contact her at valeriesteimle@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.stengthenyourhome.com.