Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the K12 Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
York Suburban middle school to add double‑block math for 6th grade and realign unified arts
Summary
Middle‑school administrators presented schedule changes that include an 86‑minute double math block for incoming sixth graders, longer intervention 'win' periods for 7th/8th grades, and realignment of unified‑arts courses to emphasize media literacy, career research and STEM.
Middle‑school leaders described planned schedule and curriculum changes intended to address the documented ‘dip’ in math performance that occurs between fifth and sixth grade.
Administrators said the 2026–27 schedule will give incoming sixth graders an 86‑minute double‑block math period (a 'fat' block) intended to allow sustained instruction and small‑group intervention. Seventh and eighth grades will expand their intervention/'win' period to roughly 43 minutes to provide more consistent support and enrichment.
Unified‑arts changes include phasing out a standalone 'computers' coding class in favor of media‑literacy, research and digital‑design instruction integrated with grade‑level curriculum, realigning STEM and careers coursework, and refocusing the STEM teacher role toward gifted education and pathway planning. Staffing changes are internal, and administrators said they will present curriculum documents for board review in July.
"Next year we will actually be having a 86 minute math period," one administrator said, noting the change is intended to mimic intermediate‑level models of small‑group instruction.
The board asked about certification and hiring impacts from PTE certification realignment; administrators said the changes increase staffing complexity and urged attention to teacher preparation pipelines.
