Math Class Gets Subtracted From KHS Curriculum

The best example of this trend is found in the Math Department. The most advanced math class offered at KHS, Calculus 1 and 2, will probably no longer be offered.

“That is a direct result of the Math Department being spread too thin. Basically we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to accommodate the larger amount of students in the applied classes...as well as the—I wouldn’t say the dwindling number of higher level classes, but since there’s already an AP Calc., then Calc. 1/Calc. 2 got the axe,” Ethan Gabel, head of the Math Department, said.

Instead of teaching Calc. 1 and 2, Gabel will teach two sections of AP Calculus. AP Calculus classes are already larger than is ideal, and the dozen or so students planning to take Calc. 1 and 2 will probably take AP instead, further increasing enrollment in that class and necessitating two sections.

However, there are currently several juniors taking AP Calculus, and their plans to take Calc. 1 and 2 as seniors have been foiled.

“Their only option at this point is to go to Truman to take Calc. 2, but that’s going to be a logistical nightmare, to fit in with a high school schedule...and of course the expense of taking a college class,” Gabel said.

Principal Randy Mikel explained that if the enrollment in Calc. 1 and 2 is high enough, it could still be offered. He is concerned about the students who have planned from the start of high school to take the class but now have to change plans, and he wants to make sure they still have options.

“Plan B was going to talk to Truman to make sure that they would offer something at 7:30 in the morning for those kids so it would allow them the opportunity to still take the class, even though it wouldn’t be on campus.”

Additionally, Mikel pointed out that the few students in upper-level courses are not the only ones whose needs are being considered.

“I have the highest fliers and sharpest kids...and then we also have the total other end of the spectrum, kids who need support, at-risk programs, concepts classes,” Mikel explained.

With a limited number of teachers, Mikel has to make sure that they are distributed fairly among students.

“For example, I have a Concepts of Algebra 2 class...and I have thirty-two in a section, so I really need to offer another section. Well, unfortunately I only have so many math teachers (five) that are almost to the max on enrollment...so I have to balance that out,” Mikel lamented.

Basically, though more advanced classes tend to get more attention, there are issues at all levels because of a lack of faculty. Gabel and Mikel agree that adding another math teacher, even half-time, would solve many of these problems.

“An extra teacher would be able to distribute the sections better, space out the applied classes, which have way too many kids in them right now, as well as offer some other electives like AP Statistics, or just a college-level stat., along with Calc.1/Calc. 2,” Gabel said.

It is not only the Math Department that could benefit from extra faculty members. AP Biology, now taught by Erin McAlvany, will most likely not be offered next year. According to Mikel, it may be taught in alternate years, which could lessen the problem of current low enrollment.

McAlvany explained that she does not have the time to devote to teaching an AP class because she is working on building a family through adoption.

Additionally, because AP Biology typically only has five to ten students, “it’s just too small to warrant having a section of it when we have so many other science classes that are packed full with thirty-plus kids,” McAlvany said.

Instead of teaching AP Biology, McAlvany might teach another section of freshman physical science, or Survey of Life Science (the more basic version of sophomore biology), depending on enrollment numbers.

Luckily, students wanting to take AP Biology next year have some good options. Both Louisiana State University and Mizzou offer an online course that could be a good alternative to taking the class at KHS.

According to Christopher Best, head of the History Department, a cut was made last year and sociology is no longer offered because there was no time for it in the schedule.

“We also want to add to a History vs. Hollywood elective for upperclassmen for next year but that offering will depend on course requests and if there is enough staff to cover all of the core classes without further increasing class sizes,” Best said in an email.

The English Department, on the other hand, has not needed to cut any classes and is actually adding another option for next year. The new course will be “an English class for new students to the district that are not native speakers of English and who need basic help with the English language. While this is to help all students who are learning English, it is especially needed for all of the new students coming to Kirksville from the Congo,” Bob Odzinski, head of the English Department, explained in an email.

However, the English Department is not without its issues. “While teachers would like to offer elective courses like creative writing, we don't have enough faculty to make those courses a reality at this time,” Odzinski said.

Though the English and History Departments are not struggling to offer high-level courses (both departments offer two AP courses), they are still limited in the electives they can provide. Students who are especially interested in those subjects have few options for study beyond their required three credits of history and four of English.