DCPS to implement new schedule model to address education gaps, students voice concerns

DORCHESTER COUNTY, Md. – High schools across Dorchester County are preparing for a big academic shift, as the school system moves to implement a new education structure.

Director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for DCPS, Dr. Jodi Colman, said this is all a part of a plan to move to a number 15 academic ranking in the state of Maryland.

“Our reading scores are not what they need to be. Our math scores are not where they need to be. We needed to have some course work that is year-round, so we looked at getting an English 9 and English 9 supports, so students would have a yearlong experience,” Dr. Colman said.

The new initiative will add an additional class to students’ schedules and switch the district to an A-day/B-day structure, where students will take certain courses on designated days.

Dr. Colman said the district weighed the pros and cons, ultimately deciding this model would produce the most student success.

“We are not putting this in place without the understanding that this will increase the number of courses that you’re taking, but we have really tried to make sure that we have put some things in place to help mitigate that,” Dr. Colman said. “We’re going to be keeping an eye on it to make sure that our students are making progress, just like we are with the data.”

Yet students, like Tyler Sears, aren’t completely convinced. The 11th grader created a petition that’s garnered over 300 signatures from fellow classmates. It underscored concerns of workload and overall student achievement.

“Where are we going to get the resources? How are the students going to have 10 classes when we don’t have the resources, and students can’t keep up with the classes they have? How are they going to be able to keep up with more classes and all these classes at the same time?” Sears questioned.

But with no sign of the district budging on its decision, Sears said he’s fearful for the incoming classes, and he encourages his peers to continue to advocate for their education.

“Education should be for the students, so the students’ voices should be heard,” Sears said. “It should be about them and not about what the county sees as what’s good on paper, or even what another county has done, because we are different than any other county.”