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Frederick schools considering change in four-block schedule

By WTOP Staff

Four-block scheduling for all high schools has been in place since 1997, but changes to the schedules of Gov. Thomas Johnson and Catoctin high schools could be around the corner.

Staff members at Gov. Thomas Johnson have already agreed the school should add a 40-minute block of tutoring time into its school day, possibly as soon as spring semester, according to Principal Marlene Tarr.

By shaving 10 minutes off each course block, a 40-minute block can be added between second and third period to allow time for students to receive tutoring, make up tests, participate in Advanced Placement seminars and make appointments with the guidance office, Tarr said.

“This is not study hall,” she said.

School administrators are currently scheduling a date to meet with parents and community members to gather input before seeking approval, Tarr said.

“We’re hoping it will be something we’re able to launch,” she said.

Oakdale and Walkersville high schools already operate on the schedule Gov. Thomas Johnson is researching. Walkersville made the switch this fall; Oakdale opened with the schedule two years ago.

Catoctin High School is in the early stages of researching the pros and cons of altering its schedule to add a 40- minute block, said Ann Bonitatibus, associate superintendent for secondary schools.

Bonitatibus presented the Board of Education with a report on high school scheduling throughout the county in September; the board asked the PTA to solicit parents’ input.

A forum about high school scheduling is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the central office board room.

“I expect we’re going to hear the gamut,” said M.C. Keegan-Ayer, second vice president for the PTA Council of Frederick County.

Keegan-Ayer will moderate Wednesday’s discussion after Bonitatibus’ presentation about current scheduling at the high schools.

Middletown parent Janice Spiegel said she would not like to see time shaved off of her son’s class time to add the 40-minute block.

With her son taking AP courses, losing 10 minutes of class a day means a loss of 50 minutes by the end of the week, she said.

“It’s almost like losing a full class a week,” she said.

Following the success of a Gov. Thomas Johnson High School pilot block schedule during the 1992-93 school year, four more high schools transitioned from a traditional seven-block schedule to a four-block schedule in 1993-94.

Thomas Johnson’s pilot showed that student discipline referrals decreased, teacher attendance improved, there were positive perceptions by students and faculty, African-American student scores on Maryland functional tests improved, more students took AP courses, test scores improved and there was positive feedback from visitors, according to Bonitatibus’ Sept. 26 report to the board.

Of the 23 school districts in the state — excluding Baltimore city — six follow a traditional schedule, 14 follow a block or hybrid block schedule and three follow a combination.

The traditional high school schedule has students take six to eight yearlong courses. Each class runs 45 to 50 minutes per day.

The block scheduling format has students take four courses in the fall and four different courses in the spring. Classes run 80 to 90 minutes a day.

The hybrid block schedule has students taking four 80-minute courses per semester with a 35-minute block of student enrichment time where students can seek tutoring.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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