November 24, 2020
Dear BSD Community,
In 2014, a task force was convened to evaluate and make recommendations for implementing a set of common middle school courses and a consistent bell schedule across all middle schools in the Beaverton School District — otherwise known as the Common Middle School Experience. In the six years that followed, hundreds of administrators, staff members, parents and students were involved in the process. Most recently, in January 2020, the District held Parent Listening Sessions at each of the eight comprehensive middle schools. During that month, teachers and community members took surveys to gauge their academic priorities and their support for three proposed schedules. Just as Superintendent Don Grotting was about to make his final recommendation in March, schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are two main issues that the District is trying to address:
- Right now, course offerings vary from one middle school to another across the district. That’s especially true when it comes to electives. The District believes that all students — regardless of where they live or what schools they attend — should have access to the same quality education and opportunities.
- There is no consistent bell schedule at middle schools, meaning class lengths vary. For example, one student may receive 85 minutes of math instruction per day, while another student receives 57 minutes. When viewed through an equity lens, the District believes all students should be able to access the same amount of instruction, regardless of location.
Superintendent Grotting has spent several months evaluating recommendations from principals, feedback from teachers and comments from the public. He has decided to move forward with the following schedule at all BSD middle schools:
Sample 8-Period Day for Students
|
Minutes |
Period |
A Day |
B Day |
|
42 |
1 |
PE/Health |
|
|
42 |
2 |
Elective 1 |
|
|
42 |
3 |
Elective 2 |
|
|
30 |
Lunch |
Lunch |
|
|
42 |
4 |
Language Arts |
|
|
42 |
5 |
Social Studies |
|
|
42 |
6 |
Science |
|
|
42 |
7 |
Science |
Math |
|
42 |
8 |
Math |
|
Here’s what he believes to be the benefits of this schedule:
- The schedule divides Humanities (taught as a single course in some schools) into two separate classes: Language Arts and Social Studies. This split was favored by 67% of Humanities teachers and community members who responded to surveys. A separate Social Studies class allows for a more robust civics education.
- The schedule allows for additional instruction in Science and Math.
- The schedule maximizes choice, allowing students to choose two electives. Students will be able to more fully explore world languages, visual arts, band, choir, theater and technology.
- The schedule allows for students who require interventions or who elect to take AVID to still be able to access an additional elective.
- The schedule is an effective use of the school day with class period lengths that are developmentally appropriate and not too long.
With any schedule, there are drawbacks:
- Students will need to track whether it’s an A or B day.
- State law requires students in grades 6-8 to receive 225 minutes/week of Physical Education instruction for the entire school year. Under this schedule, students would receive 210 minutes per week. However, schools will be required to find alternative ways to make up the remaining 15 minutes/week through brain/movement breaks and lunchtime activities.
The new schedule will take effect at the start of the 2021-22 school year. You may be asking, “given the upheaval of the current school year, why make this decision now?” We recognize that — especially with the recent middle school boundary adjustment announcement — middle school families and staffs are being asked to deal with a lot of change. However, in order to be ready for next school year, planning must start in January. We strongly believe that a consistent schedule and a consistent set of course offerings are in the best interest of all BSD students. Therefore, we need to push forward.
Superintendent Grotting extends his gratitude to the hundreds of people who have been involved in this challenging process. Thank you for your interest and dedication.