Contrary to reports in West Seattle Herald ("4-period day to be dumped," Dec. 6), the current four-period class schedule at West Seattle High School is not going to be eliminated.

West Seattle High School students derive many advantages from the four-period day schedule. These include the ability to earn 32 high school credits - vs. 24 in schools with six-period days - and the increased personalization they receive from spending more time in the same class with the same teacher. Teachers also benefit because they have a lower student load.

The benefits of a four-period day are supported by the Washington School Research Center, which in a recent study found "evidence that the 4x4 block schedule increases the odds of attaining the following outcomes: increased numbers of honor roll students; increased student grade point average; increased graduation rate; reduced failure rates; reduced overall drop-out rate; and increased numbers of students in advanced placement classes."

It's also clear that West Seattle High School students are successful academically. According to a Seattle Public Schools evaluation of the four-period schedule, there is a statistically significant and positive relationship between attending West Seattle High School and achieving a higher score on the 2006 10th grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). In fact, the school is ranked among the top three Seattle public high school schools in terms of 10th grade WASL results. In addition, every ethnic group showed a gain in all three WASL subject areas - reading, writing and math - in 2006.

We have heard from some parents that a few students have not been able to fit certain classes into their schedule. As a result we intend to examine various scheduling models in the coming months.

We will endeavor to improve communication with parents, community members and district colleagues about the four-period day philosophy. In addition, we are providing professional development that focuses on using effective strategies in an extended class period. To this end, we have developed a monthly in-service program for newer teachers that starts this month.

The Seattle School Board's Student Learning Committee has offered these recommendations, and they have made it clear that the school, with input from members of the learning community, should work on the recommendations. The committee also stated district administrators and board members will not dictate what schedule should be adopted at West Seattle High School.

Judith Peterson

Interim Principal

West Seattle High School