District eyes plan to hike credits

Terry Webster

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000 | 10:47 a.m.

Clark County School District officials are studying a new scheduling plan aimed at increasing graduation rates and decreasing the number of students who lack enough credits.

"If a student is credit deficient, this will allow them to work within the structure of a normal school day without worrying about transportation or extra costs," Leonard Paul, assistant superintendent for secondary education, said.

The district is planning to try a block-schedule program at several high schools so that students can attend eight classes per semester instead of six. Scheduling would be divided between two days, "A" and "B," allowing students to take four different 85-minute periods on each day.

A presentation on the proposal is scheduled for Thursday's School Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 2832 E. Flamingo Road.

Although some high schools already use block scheduling, this plan will have a new format, Paul said. The proposal is slated for Chaparral, Mojave and Palo Verde high schools, Silvestri Middle School and any new high schools.

School officials are touting the measure as a way to allow students to earn two additional credits a year and provide immediate help for students who are failing.

"Credit deficiency remains an ongoing concern and is one of the major contributors to students dropping out of school," Paul wrote in a resolution to be brought before the School Board Thursday. "Lower test scores on the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam is also an area of concern. Two additional class periods will allow students to recover credits and receive additional assistance with skills and concepts."

Additionally, block scheduling will allow more choices for students who have to choose between higher-level academic classes and electives.

Under new state regulations this year, ninth grade students could not be promoted to the 10th grade unless they had the proper number of credits.

"There are 3,900 10th graders who are still ninth graders because of this," Paul said.

Next year both ninth and 10th graders without the required number of credits will be held back.

Paul said holding the students back is not creating an overcrowding problem for the district.

"They are just taking the ninth grade classes they need," he said.

But Paul added that it "might cause a problem once the kids are past 12th grade."

Aside from acquiring the needed credits, high school students must pass the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam to graduate.