[BHS etree] BUSD: Message from Superintendent Huyett on Science Labs

[bhs at idiom.com]

Dear Berkeley Families, 

Berkeley High School is in the middle of a major redesign, primarily
focused on four areas: Advisory Classes, Bell and Lunch Schedules,
Decentralization of the Small Learning Communities, and the Configuration
of Science Labs. Science is only one aspect of that; it is the subject of
this letter. 

At Berkeley High, students are currently required to attend science labs
either before or after school for Advanced Placement (AP) classes and most
College Preparatory classes. In nearly all other schools in California,
science labs are held during the regular school day science classes when
students are required to be in school, avoiding any conflicts for students
who work, participate in sports or other extra curricular activities or
are required to be at home before and after school.

The proposal from the principal and the school leadership is to integrate
the labs into the regular school day, not to eliminate them as has been
reported by the media. Typically in California, college prep science
classes meet only five times a week instead of six times as many BHS
science classes do. The proposal would bring instructional time in line
with the rest of the state; however this would decrease instructional time
over the current practice at BHS, especially for AP classes. Note that it
is common for AP classes to have more learning time by extending a course
into two years or over the summer. 

The principal and leadership team believe that by offering a full science
program during the regular day, science classes will be more accessible to
all students, and that attendance and performance in science will improve.
The proposal has received the support of the BHS School Governance Council
and is expected to come before the BUSD Board of Directors on February 3,
2010. This Board review of the high school redesign has been delayed
because the administration and science teachers are meeting to resolve the
instructional time issues.

As Superintendent I have been following the redesign discussion closely,
and have taken a special interest in the question about the science labs.
I have met with concerned parents from both sides of the discussion and
have personally been meeting with Principal Slemp and the science
teachers. The Superintendent’s primary questions/concerns are the issue of
requiring students to attend school during extended school hours; how to
provide the instructional time necessary for AP and College Preparatory
students and how to provide quality science labs and additional support
for all science students.

Sincerely,

William Huyett
Superintendent of Schools