Benefits of school scheduling disputed

Re “In Carson, Teachers Say No Thanks to Grant,” April 17

I was outraged by the Carson High School teachers’ rejection of curriculum and schedule changes, proposed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, that are a condition of a $1.5-million grant. It is a formula that has worked in other low-performing schools. Carson has a score of 2 out of 10 on state equivalency tests, and it has a 50% attrition rate from freshman to graduation. It appears these teachers have set their standards pathetically low, hence the poor performance of their school. Obviously they don’t want the standards set higher or to be held accountable for performance -- both conditions of the Gates grant.

I’m outraged as a taxpayer, but the real victims of this teacher self-interest and abuse of power are the students and parents at Carson High. Fortunately the foundation is not taking its money off the table after this snub but will find another Los Angeles Unified School District school to help.

DON MCCAMMACK

Palos Verdes Estates

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Bravo to the Carson teachers who said “no” to the Talent Development people. Here at Roosevelt High School, we tried the four-by-four block schedule at a school that is on a year-round calendar, which reduced the traditional semester from 20 to 16 weeks. The four-by-four schedule meant that classes were cut in half to eight weeks. It is true we added 30 minutes to each period, but mandatory testing takes away at least a week. Also, with holidays plus minimum days, we are talking about six weeks and a few days for what we once taught in 20 weeks. It is a dream to think you can get in as much material on the four-by-four schedule. This is why Roosevelt voted to go back to the six-period day. It isn’t perfect, but compared to the four-by-four, much more instruction time is available.

MANUEL GONZALEZ

Teacher, Roosevelt High School

Boyle Heights

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Teachers cannot win. University High School was the first in the district to have the four-by-four block schedule. Seventy-five percent (by vote) of the teachers liked the schedule. However, three years ago, the district forced the school to choose another schedule -- ironically, the same year it allowed Roosevelt High School and other schools to initiate the four-by-four block schedule. Certainly, in regard to University High School, it was the district that hit the sour note. It’s not that teachers are intractable; they are experienced with the games that the district plays.

ILENE OLLER

Los Angeles