Hamilton’s Student Advisory Council Meeting Recap: October 20th
Photo from fauxels via Pexels.
On Monday, October 20, the Student Advisory Council met for the second time this school year with Mr. Bauer. We resumed our conversation from the previous meeting about the running length of AP classes. We were given access to documents detailing College Board information including the College Board recommended pacing for 45 minute periods and recommended pacing for block scheduling, like those used at Hamilton High School. Mr. Bauer noted how the classes being recommended for cutting down from two-semesters to one-semester receive more instructional time than College Board recommended. Some student representatives still felt as though students may be disadvantaged by having a one-semester class first semester, in which they have around four months in between their class and the exam. Others expressed concerns for those in second-semester APs, worried that they could feel rushed to get through their course load before the exam.
Despite concerns, the conversation shifted to focus on the functions of focus periods next school year. Bauer plans to shift focus to no longer require students to be taking two AP classes, but open to all students regardless of course load. The aim would be to give more students the opportunity to have time to do their work, as they could be having other extracurricular activities outside of class that interfere with their ability to finish schoolwork. Some concerns were placed on the necessity of a “free period” within schedules and if students will use them properly. Some student representatives questioned the ability to accommodate all students who are wishing for a “free period,” as many students may try to take advantage of the opportunity, possibly bringing up an issue of oversized classes. There were also worries about the necessity of a free period for upperclassmen, in that if this free period were available to underclassmen, that upperclassmen may not get one when typically their course load is more rigorous and demanding. The council ended the meeting with a loose consensus on a free period open to all students except for freshmen.
Previous Meeting Recaps:
