Change in schools should be about improving student learning, but the newly proposed 8-period flexible block schedule raises serious concerns. While the district argues that the new schedule will provide students with more opportunities and save taxpayers money, it risks disrupting student learning, increasing teacher stress, and removing the structure students need post-pandemic.

The new plan will have students taking four classes per semester, but some students may take as few as two to three or as many as six. The 8-Period Flexible Block Schedule lets students earn up to eight credits per year. This is a major change from the current schedule which runs most classes for a full academic year.  

One major issue is the impact on learning retention. Under the new schedule, class time will be reduced from 96 minutes to 84 minutes, forcing teachers to condense their lessons. Additionally, students may go nearly a year without certain subjects, which can make it harder to remember information. There are already issues with advanced placement classes and International Baccalaureate classes which must run for a full year because of established course design and testing controlled by external parties. Research shows that students learn best in structured environments with consistent reinforcement of material. Altering this structure could negatively impact the academic success many students have worked hard to build.

Teachers are also facing an unfair workload. The Stamford Education Association has openly opposed the schedule, arguing that it will cause students to fall behind and disrupt learning. The district says teachers will work with fewer students at a time, but their total number of students might go up. Teachers will also need to teach full-year classes in just one semester, which will add stress to teachers and could make it tougher for students to learn and remember the material.

Another concern is the frequent schedule changes at Stamford High. Students have already had to adjust to major scheduling shifts in recent years, including the adoption of the A/B block model in 2022. Now, just a few years later, the district once again wants to overhaul the structure of the school day. Constantly changing schedules creates instability, making it harder for students to develop consistent learning habits. Students already feel a lot of academic pressure, and constantly adjusting to new scheduling plans just adds more stress. Instead of focusing on learning, students will struggle trying to keep up with a changing school routine.

Supporters argue that the new schedule allows for more flexibility and equal opportunities. The district believes that having fewer classes at one time will improve student focus. However, there is no clear research supporting this claim, and many students and parents doubt whether this model is the best choice. They say this new schedule resembles a college schedule, which is supposed to better prepare students for college. However, students typically take five classes in college, and those classes only meet 2-3 times per week in a college setting. The district already has a successful scheduling model in place at AITE, yet instead of adopting a proven approach, they are implementing a new system without strong evidence of its benefits. That leads one to question the justification for the change.

Another concern is the cost of implementation. The district is considering hiring an outside consultant to create the schedule, which could cost over $100,000. If the goal is to save money, spending a large sum on a consultant rather than investing in effective educational strategies seems counterproductive. Instead, they could be using that money in classrooms, on curriculum, or things that directly help students.

Rather than disrupting students’ education with a new model, the district should look for other ways to save money that won’t disrupt learning. The Board of Education, superintendent, and mayor should look at administrative costs or other parts of the budget before making a decision that affects students so drastically.

Parents, teachers, and students must take action. Writing letters to the superintendent, Board of Education, and local government officials can bring attention to these concerns. Additionally, starting a petition to keep the current schedule—or at least demand further research before implementation—will show district leaders that the community does not support this change.

Changing the schedule year after year is not worth the confusion and stress it places on students and teachers. Stamford High students deserve stability, not unnecessary disruption. Their education must remain the priority.