Harper Creek board weighs move from block to traditional high‑school schedule amid low test scores and staffing concerns

Summary

At a Jan. board meeting, Harper Creek administrators outlined a proposal to shift the high school from an alternating block schedule to a traditional six‑period day, citing lower SAT and M‑STEP results and staffing and retention pressures; the board set a March 1 planning deadline and asked for more outreach to parents and students.

The Harper Creek Board of Education heard an extended presentation and discussion about a potential change to the high‑school bell schedule, including a proposal to replace the district’s long‑standing block schedule with a traditional six‑period day. Administrators and board members said the proposal is driven by persistent underperformance on state and college‑entrance tests and by staffing and scheduling challenges.

Board members and high‑school staff described why the change is being considered and what would be required to implement it. District leaders said Harper Creek’s SAT and 11th‑grade M‑STEP scores have trailed neighboring districts and that some peer districts with traditional schedules report higher results. Administration materials shown to the board compared local districts’ schedules and presented a draft bell schedule that would use roughly 56‑minute class periods and a daily 29‑minute seminar slot for academic or…

Harper Creek board weighs move from block to traditional high‑school schedule amid low test scores and staffing concerns

Summary

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