Preamble:
The Kettle Moraine High School Administration and School Board are considering a schedule change from the current model to the 4x4 block schedule.

The student body is grateful for the information presented but feel it is not complete without full analysis of every option, and that there are better choices.

Therefore we submit A/B block scheduling as a different choice.

Text:
We (the signers, members of the Kettle Moraine student body and the community) are against 4x4 block scheduling and request A/B block scheduling.

We believe that the pros and cons of each option should be discussed and explained in their entirety.

We understand the well-intentioned changes desired by Kettle Moraine, and respectfully present an alternative in addition to a request for more information.

The term “additional opportunities", in itself, is rather vague. We would like more information on these “additional opportunities”. If higher quality education is the opportunity, the highest State Report Card for a block schedule school is 81.5 (Hamilton), while the lowest is 72.1 (Oconomowoc). Kettle Moraine has a 78.3 and rests in the middle. Likewise, there is no specific data to prove that block schedules hold a learning advantage. Furthermore, while advisory time and access to content experts is valuable and appreciated, we feel that 31 minutes is not enough time. Currently, our study hall would equal 53 minutes. An advisory period would not yield enough time to finish work if school work help was not needed, and learning time would be fractured if many people were to seek help from one content expert.

We feel that A/B block scheduling would be preferable because it is more flexible to an Advanced Placement course, and class time could be lost. In 4x4 block scheduling, an AP course might not extend up until the AP test date, and reduced class time might make courses more challenging than need be. According to the National Education Association,”It is difficult to cover the necessary material for Advanced Placement courses in the time allotted.” (“Research Spotlight on Block Scheduling”, para. 4).

The following students of Kettle Moraine High School request an A/B block schedule due to the aforementioned reasons.

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