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CARTHAGE, IL – Students at Illini West High School could see a huge change in their school day schedule as early as next year.
The school board is considering a switch to an eight-block format. Each school day would be divided into four periods of about 85 minutes. The school's current schedule is eight periods per day of about 45 minutes each.
Superintendent Kim Schilson said the eight-block schedule would offer students more opportunities to take dual-credit classes through Carl Sandburg College. She said students considering college could also see if they can handle college classes.
She also said, "The other big winners are the vocational students because now you have an actual amount of time that you can actually do something in a vocational class instead of just getting started and have to put everything up before you really get anything accomplished."
Eight-block schedules don't allow as many study hall periods. She said students will have to manage their study time more carefully.
Schilson said the eight-block schedule would require more professional development for teachers.
She said, "You cannot give a lecture for 85 (or) 90 minutes so the teaching would have to change along with the scheduling."
The school board is weighing whether the schedule change could be made for next school year.