Lack of students jeopardizes classes in master schedule

By Ari Gevov
Staff Writer

Recently at Mira Costa, classes have been removed and combined due to small class sizes, causing some students to have their schedules changed mid-year. The students in the classes which have been closed are being forced to endure inconvenient schedule changes, which can be stressful to the students.

Removing classes can be detrimental to students learning. If a student is already struggling in the class that is removed, then his or her grade could possibly drop even more due to the adjustments he or she would have to make to adapt to his or her new class.

If the classes are replaced, it may be difficult for students and teachers to readjust their curriculum, as each class learns at a different pace. Students may be in totally different places in the curriculum, causing

To avoid mid-year schedule changes, the administration should attempt to finalize all classes before the school year in order to reduce the students’ stress during the year. If changes need to be made, they should be done at the beginning of the year instead of waiting until the second semester.

While Vice Principal Jaime Mancilla tries to balance the classes to the best of his abilities with the help of counselors, the schedules need to be checked carefully. This will help to ensure that scheduling problems do not arise once school has begun.

Currently, counselors try to discuss the scheduling issue with students to minimize dramatic changes in their schedule. While this is helpful if scheduling changes are absolutely necessary, it is important that more time and effort be spent balancing the master schedule at the beginning of the year.

When a class is closed during the semester, it can be strenuous for students because they are getting comfortable with the teacher’s style and expectations for the class. If a student has already developed a close relationship with the teacher, that could change once her or she is moved to a new one.

When creating the master schedule at the beginning of the year, if a class is too small then the issue should be addressed immediately instead of waiting until the second semester to change the class schedule. The administration should discuss with the students right away when there is a scheduling issue so there won’t be any problems later on.

Teachers and students would be less stressed if the classes are the same throughout the year. Paying more attention to the master schedule at the beginning of the year would reduce the need to adjust schedules during the year.