BETHEL — A contingent of Telstar parents and students attended Monday’s SAD 44 School Board meeting to express their concerns about scheduling changes proposed at the high school for the 2015-16 school year.

According to a handout provided to parents at a meeting with high school administrators last week, the academic day would be divided into six one-hour blocks, with core classes meeting every day.

One block of each day would be devoted to project­based learning, in which students use alternative methods, including in-depth research, collaboration, and hands-on exploration, to acquire a deeper knowledge and to apply education to realworld challenges and problems.

This is a change from the schedule used at the high school for approximately 20 years, which consisted of four 80-minute blocks each day, with classes meeting on alternate days. Telstar administrators told parents at last week’s meeting that the schedule changes were intended to both address the rate of student failure and increase the focus on core classes.

The schedule would provide regular times for pursuing independent study projects and for teachers to work closely with students who are at risk of failing or need to make up missed credits.

It would also increase weekly instructional time for core classes.

However, some parents and students have objected to what they called a lack of transparency on the part of administrators while the new schedule was being developed.

Many oppose the reduction in the total number of academic blocks (from eight to six) because it reduces the number of electives students can take.

Those attending the School Board meeting were represented by Telstar parent Tania Eliot, who read a statement detailing their concerns.

“There is a great deal of anxiety from many students, parents, and some of the staff regarding this coming change,” Eliot said.

She said the timing of the information meant that students left school at the end of the year not knowing what their schedules will look like in the fall.

“For the students at the upper end of the spectrum that have been planning to attend college, there’s a lot of frustration with the likelihood that they will have to limit the amount of classes that they are able to take,” Eliot said.

For example, she said, students who had been planning to take a second science class or continue a foreign language may find that the new schedule does not allow time for all the classes they want.

She said that the project- based learning blocks built into the new schedule do not help students who are preparing for college to meet specific requirements.

“Many have indicated that the projects sound like fun, but they have no room to be flexible if they’re preparing for postsecondary placements,” she said.

Eliot said administrators had assured parents that there would be an opportunity for students to create individualized programming.

“However, you’re talking about many individualized exceptions,” she said. “Also, there’s a likelihood that the teachers that are needed for this individualized teaching and programming will not be available during those times.”

Eliot dismissed the idea that motivated students had the option of taking on-line classes.

“The concept that these high achievers take online classes outside of the school hours is not acceptable,” she said.

“There are other things that these kids are involved in that make them well-rounded students, including extracurricular activities, community involvement, work, and spiritual activities, and that’s the time that’s allocated for that. There has always been, and should continue to be, plenty of school time during the day to get their academic activities done.”

For students who are in danger of school failure, Eliot said, the new schedule “will only create further anxiety with students who already do not do well with change. I’m highly concerned that we may lose some of those students before they even begin, due to the lack of structure.”

Citing the numerous changes at the high school over the past year, including the new freshman program and new administration, Eliot proposed that the schedule changes not be put into effect for the upcoming year, “rather, that we use the time to look at the schedule and really make some modifications, and take time to answer the things that need to be answered first.”

“With this change in the schedule, I’m fearful that Telstar will lose more students who are motivated to be successful,” she said, adding, “There’s already a lot that we lose to other schools before they enter their freshman year.”

Education Committee Chair Roberta Taylor said her committee will meet next Monday and will discuss the issue of changes to the schedule at the high school.

Several board members thanked the parents for attending and said they valued their input. “As board members, we don’t see very many of you throughout the year,” said Frank DelDuca of Bethel. “Your participation really helps us get a grip on what’s going on in your minds.” 

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