Above: UTLA members speak out in support of block scheduling at the February 11 school board meeting. From left: Mary Bane (Banning High), Dr. Aaron Peterson (Verdugo Hills High), UTLA Secondary Vice President Alex Orozco, Drew Lewis (Cortines High), William Chavez (Wilson High), Kevin Damato (Roosevelt High), and Melissa Arias (Garfield High).

After LAUSD announced it would not fund alternative school schedules next year, impacted educators organized to protect block schedules by calling school board members, reaching out to regional administrators, and speaking at school board meetings.  

Last week, the district changed course and agreed to fund some of the additional positions needed for schools to maintain their alternative schedules. The goal is to support schools in keeping their current schedules, and the district will look at providing funding as needed on a school-by-school basis.  

At the February 11 School Board meeting, UTLA members made compelling arguments for the positive student impact of alternative schedules, including expanded planning and collaboration time, increased student access to electives, help with dual enrollment in high school and college courses, and more. 

“The block schedule funding has opened opportunities for credit recovery and intervention within the school day to support our neediest students, and over the years our graduation rate has increased,” Social Studies teacher and Wilson High Chapter Chair William Chavez said. “This year, we are on track for 98% graduation rate. If we lose that funding, we are not giving opportunities to our neediest students to graduate.” 

Verdugo Hills teacher Dr. Aaron Peterson cited the ability to go “deeper and wider” with the 4 x 4 schedule and the positive impact it has on AP, sports, Academic Decathlon, and work experience programs. 

“I think we can all agree that education is deep and slow work,” Peterson told the board. “When we allow our students with the 4 x 4 block to go deeper and wider, we are setting them up to achieve higher.” 

It’s not the first time educators have had to fight to protect funding for block schedules. Schools shouldn’t have to deal with uncertainty every year to implement a model that they know is working. The Win Our Future contract demands call for extra planning time for teachers and for schools to have the option to implement block schedules if they decide it’s right for their school community.