Kamiak’s Last Frontier: Seventh Period

by Jonah Rand, Treasurer and Reporter

School Events

In 2019, the Washington state government passed H.B. 1599, which adjusted the credit requirements for all students who graduated past 2020. Although the six credit per year requirement is seemingly insignificant, during the pandemic 1 in 4 high schoolers have or are failing one course (MSD Student Data). The law entailed a statewide change from 22.5 required credits to 24. This dramatically increased the number of students off-track to graduate during these troubling times. Adding classes to the underused seventh period would provide more academic opportunities for students.

As the new standards were set for high school students throughout Washington state, new low credit related problems arose; a solution to such problems is adding a class to the typical school day, changing the original six periods to seven. The Washington state Office for Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) found that 88.8% of ninth graders are on track at Kamiak High School. Several districts in the Puget Sound region added a period to the pre-existing attendance hours while also reducing class times. Schools like Lake Stevens Sr. High School and Issaquah’s Skyline High School added a seventh period which lengthened the school day, providing their students more academic instruction time.

Although the Mukilteo School District (MSD) did not require another period, the school district failed to offer more options to students in order to compensate for the new statewide expectations. PLATO, a credit make-up course, is the backbone of Kamiak’s credit make-up options for students seeking to be guided back on track. A seventh period is an opportunity for students to enroll in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes and find their professional passion.

Society expects students to have a linear path to enroll in university post-high school graduation; however, high school is the last chance students can dip their toes in the water to explore different career interests. As college admissions continue to become more competitive, course expectations for admission (science, math, etc.) take time away from creative and technical courses that supplement a student’s career interest.

However, there are considerable drawbacks to this new seven-period schedule. Adding a required period or lengthening school hours may have detrimental effects on students’ school-life balance. Student athletes and club members would see their days get pushed later into the afternoon, removing even more time for their hobbies and homework. Aside from that, there are currently 93 practicing teachers at Kamiak, and the district would need further funding to support an increase in pay and changes in contracts. However, credit make-up is even more essential in the 2020-2021 school year because of the unusually high failure rates, and adding an extra period to the 7:20 AM to 2:00 PM day may change that.

Moreover, there is a compromise including more classes to the seventh period master schedule. Kamiak offers a sparse amount of zero and seventh period classes, and more must be offered to boost opportunity and selection. The current available zero and seventh period classes include weight training, jazz band, musical theater, and debate. These classes, while providing P.E., fine art, and elective credits, do not earn students core subjects credits: science, history, English, and math. Similar to the option of adding a seventh period, zero periods entail new contracts with teachers and altered work hours. To resolve staffing issues, the district should hire additional teachers; however, funding at the moment is tight because of the pandemic. Sports are a crucial activity for many Kamiak students, and under this solution, the current logistics and season schedule are unchanged. Additionally, students on path to graduate are not required to take another course unless requested. Proper utilization of Kamiak’s pre-and post-regular hour periods will allow students to make up classes and get back on track without taking an online course, summer option, or PLATO.

Overall, the Mukilteo School District needs to put forth policies reflective of what the student body needs. Providing more flexibility for students can ease pressure and expand academic horizons for those interested. The Mukilteo School District, along with Kamiak High School, should add classes to their grossly underutilized seventh period.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.

Sources

A Photo of Kamiak High School. Mukilteo Schools, Mukilteo School District, www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/412. Accessed 27 May 2021.

OSPI Admin Staff. "Multiple Pathways to Graduation (House Bill 1599)." House Bill 1599, edited by OSPI Admin Staff. Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI, 2019, www.k12.wa.us/student-success/graduation/multiple-pathways-graduation-house-bill-1599. Accessed 18 Mar. 2021.

---. "Report Card: Kamiak High School, Mukilteo School District." Washington State Report Card, edited by OSPI Admin Staff. Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI, washingtonstatereportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ReportCard/ViewSchoolOrDistrict/102506. Accessed 18 Mar. 2021.