Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for July 16, 2007 NEW IDEAS FOR CAPE CENTRAL

From the Southeast Missourian...

Principal proposes longer school day

By Mark Bliss ~ Southeast Missourian

The principal at Cape Girardeau Central High School knows he won't win a popularity contest by proposing to keep students in school a half-hour longer. But principal Dr. Mike Cowan believes a longer school day would benefit students by helping more of them graduate.

"Students won't like it," he told school board members at the board's retreat late last week.

Under Cowan's proposal, classes would still start at 7:30 a.m. But rather than get out of school at 2:15 p.m. as is currently the case, classes would end at 2:45 p.m.

The longer school day wouldn't be implemented until the 2008-2009 school year at the earliest, school officials said. The school board has yet to approve the plan, which is still in the discussion stage.

Several high school students said they don't want a longer school day.

Allie Wolz, who will be a sophomore this fall, doesn't want an added class period. "Honestly, you are so tired by the end of the day," Wolz said. "Seven periods is long enough."

Sarah Ford, who will be a senior, said students won't like any plan that extends the school day. "Getting out as soon as possible is the best," she said.

A longer school day means students will have to stay later for extracurricular activities, Ford said.

In addition to adding 30 minutes to the school day, the plan would eliminate the 15-minute "Tiger Time" that allows students a midday break to do their homework, relax or watch a special news channel in classrooms.

The changes would add an eighth 45-minute period to the school day, Cowan said.

That would allow the high school to implement a "Preparing for Academic Success" class to help freshmen make the transition to high school.

Freshmen would be required to take the so-called PAS class. The class would focus on such things as literacy, study skills, and college and career planning. Manners and social skills also would be discussed, as well as topics from safe driving to dating relationships.

Other high schools around the nation have added such transition courses in an effort to help more students graduate, Cowan said.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors would have the option of enrolling in another PAS class or use the extra time for an elective course or to retake a course needed for graduation.

Juniors who have good grades and good behavior would have the added option of attending one less class period a day, either the first period or the last period of the school day.

Seniors with good grades and good behavior could choose to attend two less class periods a day -- either the first two periods or the last two periods.

Zach Reeves, who will be a sophomore this fall, initially objected to the idea. "From my perspective, school is long enough already," he said.

But when told that the plan would allow uppeclassmen the option of starting school later in the morning, Reeves embraced the idea.

"I am all for that," Reeves said. "I could sleep later. I am not a morning person."

Cowan said the plan would make it more convenient for students to retake classes needed to graduate. That improves the chances for struggling students, he said.

Students who fall too far behind in course credits are more likely to drop out, he said.

Many dropouts give up on school after their freshman year, he said. That's all the more reason for Cape Central to implement the PAS course, Cowan said.

He estimates that 20 percent of the 330 entering freshmen at the high school this fall will drop out of school over the next four years. That amounts to 66 students, Cowan said.

More than 40 students finished eighth grade at the junior high school last school year with numerous failing grades, he said. Some of those students will end up in the district's alternative school. Others will repeat the eighth grade. But many of them will be enrolled at Central High School, Cowan said.

Such students need the help that a PAS course would provide, he said.

Cowan wants to increase the graduation rate at Central from its current 79.9 percent to 90 percent within four years from the start of the extended school day and PAS class.

During that same time period, he wants to boost the percentage of Central graduates enrolling in college or other post-secondary training from 76.4 percent to 90 percent.

The longer school day also would help improve teaching by providing time for teachers to meet to discuss teaching practices, Cowan said.

One Friday each month, students would have a shorter school day. Classes would be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. so teachers could meet to discuss what's working and what's not working in the classrooms, he said.