Concerned parents of Berkeley High School students gathered at the school Monday night to discuss a proposed plan to revamp the school day.

Administrators say the plan, which includes implementing an alternating block schedule to replace the school's six- to eight-period days, would provide more time in the day for teachers and administrators to help underperforming students.

School would also start later on Wednesdays to give teachers more time to develop lesson plans and teaching strategies.

Under the new schedule, students would have additional time for extra-curricular activities, said high school Principal Jim Slemp.

Slemp said giving students extra time to interact with teachers outside of the classroom during the day could help them be more academically successful.

"The fact is, in this community, we have an achievement gap," said Slemp, who created the plan with a group of the school's educators. "Kids who are black and brown are not succeeding as well as white and Asian kids. Twenty to 25 percent are failing. It is morally irresponsible to allow that to continue."

But parents at the meeting said they were unsure if the program would be effective.

"I'm in complete support of addressing the achievement gap-it's a number-one priority," said Berkeley resident and parent Larry Mandella. "Change just can't be for the sake of change. Let's evaluate it. There's got to be more to it."

Acknowledging that the shift to the new schedule could initially pose problems with scheduling and organization, Slemp said the plan will ultimately benefit students.

Under the proposal, students will be placed into one of seven Small Learning Communities, in which they could focus their studies to a particular field of interest. The communities include the Arts and Humanities Academy, the Community Partnership Academy and the School of Social Justice and Ecology.

Slemp also introduced a new advisory program to help students connect consistently with an adult adviser and develop an education plan with the ultimate goal of attending a four-year university. The program will be implemented as a graduation requirement, Slemp said.

Parents were divided about whether or not to support the proposal. Many said they are unsure about the effect it would have on students who are already succeeding.

"Overall, they've set the educational bar low," said Berkeley resident and Berkeley High parent Judith Maguire. "If they're losing 28 percent of class time, that's a huge problem. It's just frustrating, it feels like it's already been decided."

Students, however, said they are less worried about the intricacies of the proposal.

"The advisory program seems pointless," said Berkeley High freshman Atticus Judd. "I'll probably bring my iPod and tell the advisor, if you don't bother me, I won't bother you."

Tags: BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL