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Board reviews middle‑school schedule plan: sixth grade moves, US history alignment, math lab recommended
Summary
A district committee recommended that Cache County School District move sixth graders into middle school on a trimester schedule with 50‑minute classes, create a universal math lab to support students’ transition from longer elementary math blocks, and align eighth‑grade U.S. history to include writing instruction, the committee told the board on May 1.
A district committee presented recommended middle‑school academic requirements and schedules as Cache County School District prepares to move sixth grade into the middle schools.
Committee lead described a proposed sixth‑grade schedule that mirrors middle school across three trimesters with 50‑minute class periods: a full year of ELA, math, science, education technology/keyboarding, PE/health, a writing extension (ELA extension) and one math lab supplemental course for all students to support the transition from the elementary 90‑minute math block.
"We decided on a 50, just to follow the same trimester schedule," the presenter said, adding that the math lab is intended as a skills‑building course for all students rather than a targeted intervention: "Every student would take it, and it would be a skill‑based, building mathematical mindsets course."
The committee recommended guaranteed fine‑arts options (art, choir, band, orchestra, DLI where available) plus one site‑based elective; band and orchestra teachers were asked to consider offering fewer than three trimesters if needed to allow students additional elective options. For seventh and eighth grade, the committee proposed maintaining current offerings but aligning U.S. history in eighth grade to include embedded writing instruction rather than a stand‑alone writing extension course.
The presenters said the committee involved parents, teachers, counselors and administrators and held multiple meetings; they proposed retiring the current middle‑school policy and replacing it with one that would allow procedures to implement the new course and placement expectations. Board members asked questions about PE time, elective availability, and scheduling logistics; staff said specific site scheduling and staffing would determine final trimester placements and that further procedures would follow if the board approves the policy change.
If approved, the district will bring procedures that specify placement rules and the detailed schedule ahead of the district’s move of sixth grade into middle schools.
