Students attending Clarkston’s junior and senior high school this coming year are in for some major changes.
Semesters with which they are familiar will now be trimesters.
The day will be shortened to five classes from the traditional six, classes will be 72 minutes instead of 48, and there will be more classes within a year.
‘The rigorous state standards would have made it extremely difficult for a six-class schedule to work for students,? explained Principal Vince Licata.
Laura Grunis, a senior this coming year at Clarkston High School, said it’s a change the school needs.
‘With all the requirements kids need nowadays to graduate, trimesters seem like our only option,? she said.
Grunis still had a few issues with the new plan, though, including class time.
‘Forty-eight minutes is enough in history class, let alone 72 minutes,? Grunis said.
She is concerned about being able to concentrate for such a long class, she said.
Administrators and teachers have recognized these concerns from students, Licata said.
‘We have been working on the delivery of instructions and different teaching techniques over the last year and throughout the summer,? he said.
Another issue is how to schedule all the classes they want.
‘Because of scheduling issues, I had to choose between p.m. OTC and Marketing II,? Grunis said.
The new scheduling has caused confusion amongst students and is one of the biggest concerns about making trimesters work, Licata agreed.
‘There is more opportunity for students to take courses and we felt that elective courses such as art and gym are just as important as required classes,” he said. “We are trying to provide a more well rounded education for students.?
Overall, the plan for trimesters is supposed to make classes more similar to college classes and better prepare students for their future, he said.
‘It will definitely be a change for the good,? Grunis said.