At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, a class change was been implemented, changing Senior English from two courses lasting 36 weeks to a single semester course spanning just 18 weeks. It’s a move that some say will offer more flexibility; however, others are concerned about the reduced class time for senior students working to improve their language skills and build towards the state-wide assessment.

According to RCHS principal, Mrs. Jennifer Mattingly, the new, shorter approach to Senior English was done as a way to try to improve test scores. She stated that, traditionally, test scores have stayed around the same level under the old two-semester approach. "We want to mix things up to improve test scores," Mrs. Mattingly added.

Mattingly also noted another reason to make the change from two semesters of English to one during the senior year. Portfolios for senior English students have been reduced from five pieces to four in recent years, and she believes that one semester is plenty of time to complete that process. "There’s no reason for those portfolios not to be done in eighteen weeks," she said.

Many others do have concerns about the change, however, including the completion of the portfolios and the state-wide on-demand that are now scheduled in September (not in the final two months of the school year as had been the case until two years ago).

Mrs. Baker, the English Department Chairperson, has concerns that the change may leave some seniors unprepared for the on-demand assessment. "My biggest concern is that seniors who don’t have English in the fall won’t be as prepared for the on-demand, simply because they may have gone without an English class for nearly a year before completing the assessment." Baker also added that students that are struggling may not have the added support that they need in a one-semester approach to English.

The Site Based Council put the "Okay" on senior English being cut earlier this summer. "The S.B.D.M. has to approve every thing that is in question of change," Mattingly added.

Some students have mixed emotions about the change. "Its hard," said T.J. Singleton, "because there is so much work to get done at one time." On the other hand, fellow Senior Joe Caldwell said, "I love it, because you get more electives."

Mrs. Mattingly says that the change may or may not be permanent. "It depends on what we do with the schedule in the future," she said. "We’re trying to get the best results."