Michigan Center elementary schools going to a trimester system

By RJ Walters / For the Jackson Citizen Patriot

THE ISSUE: Arnold and Keicher elementary schools in the Michigan Center school district will move from a quarterly semester report card system to a trimester system for the 2010-11 school year.

WHAT HAPPENED MONDAY: Superintendent David Tebo said elementary teachers brought the idea of going to trimesters to his attention about a year ago and he supports the initiative. School board member Linda Hall voiced concern about teachers providing fewer report cards, saying she believes there is better parent participation with more consistent reporting. Tebo said the idea came from school improvement discussions and state standards should be easier to teach and test in 12-week semesters.

THE VOTE: 6-0. 

THE QUOTE: "I encourage out-of-the-box thinking, and this is one of those things I think is a good-measured risk — I don't think it's a risk, but more of a measured strategy to help us get better at reporting and giving feedback to kids and parents. It will allow us to look at (student progression) in more manageable chunks." — Superintendent David Tebo 

WHAT'S NEXT: The board committed to the trimester system for only one school year, but Tebo said he expects it to be a success and a long-term solution that draws the district "closer to a balanced calendar." He said the pros and cons of having trimesters will be discussed at the end of this school year and a similar schedule could be considered for the middle and high schools.