A new and improved school system is under construction across Virginia. The freshman year of college is being moved into the high schools. Introduced in 1993 by Virginia educators, the four-year, 9-13 high school promises to lower college costs for every student by 25%. Amazingly, 74% of Virginia's high schools which have a seven-period day or its equivalent already have sufficient resources to become 9-13 high schools. Moreover, the cost of Advanced Placement, community college, or on-line Internet college classes is no more than staffing a high school class. By adopting an innovative new 4x4 block schedule, Virginia high schools can offer every student an extra year of schooling free!

The 4x4 schedule with its four-period day and semester-length courses is taking Virginia high schools by storm. Misnamed for the popular four-wheel drive vehicles, the 4x4 divides the school day into four 90-minute class periods. With the 4x4's 90-minute blocks which are equivalent to two traditional 50-minute periods students receive 150 hours of instruction and earn a credit in just 90 days. Introduced in Virginia in 1993, use of the 4x4 grew from three schools the first year to 27 the second. The advantages of the 4x4 are so compelling that a majority of high schools in some states converted to a 4x4 block in less than three years.

A simpler, more efficient schedule, the 4x4 narrows the focus of learning for both students and teachers. Students take only four classes at a time, but complete eight classes per year and 32 over the four years of high school. Similarly, teachers teach only three classes per semester, six rather than five per year, and have a quarter of the day for planning and class preparation. With no more than 75 students each semester, high school teachers have more time to devote to individual student needs. As a result, student performance improves, but the flexibility of the 4x4 offers more.

With the 32 credits available with the 4x4 students can complete all the high school classes required for graduation and still have a year of study left. (See the 9-13 High School Program) This additional year offers students the opportunity to obtain the specialized training they want. It also serves as an incentive for students to do well in their high school classes in order to have time left. Advanced Placement, community college, four-year college, trade and commercial schools, and employer training programs are already available. Allowing students to use the additional time afforded by the 4x4 to obtain training beyond the high school level should help improve Virginia's schools.

Unlike most educational reforms, the cost of the four-year 9-13 high school is minimal and the improvement is immediate. High schools using a traditional seven-period day already have sufficient staffing to convert to a 4x4 and include an additional year of study. In Virginia 74% of the 286 high schools use a seven-period schedule or its equivalent. The 73 schools still using a six-period schedule or its equivalent will need a ten percent increase in staffing. There will be some extra transition costs because students immediately begin using the extra time and current staffing may not fit the new classes requested. When fully implemented, the four-year 4x4 9-13 high school costs no more than the seven-period 9-12 high school. But there's more.

Orange County (VA) High School pioneered a "Future Scholars" scholarship program to help their students pay for postsecondary study. Because staffing costs for a postsecondary class (45 hours) are often less than a high school class (150 hours), Orange County set up scholarships for classes taken instead of high school classes. Thus, students can complete high school and get up to a year of study beyond the high school level at no additional cost. Start-up funding for the scholarship program came from the summer school budget which was no longer needed with the 4x4 schedule. For 1995-96, Orange County is offering $140 scholarships which are sufficient to cover the tuition for a three-semester hour community college class.

The Orange County School Board awards the "Future Scholars" scholarships on the basis of academic achievement, attendance, and behavior. OCHS seniors and juniors who are absent no more than 5 days each semester and are not above Step 1 on the discipline levels are eligible. Eligible seniors with a 3.0 GPA receive three $140 scholarships to use at an accredited school or for an AP exam. Those with a 2.5 GPA earn two scholarships; those with a 2.0 get one. Eligible juniors with 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 GPA's receive AP scholarships to pay for one, two, or three AP exams, respectively. As expected, GPA's are improving and more students are successfully completing AP and college classes. Without increasing costs Orange County can offer those students who learn well, attend regularly, and behave themselves a "free" year of postsecondary study.

As high schools across Virginia change to the 4x4 and try to offer a "free" year of college or career training, they encounter a major problem. Virginia's "post Labor Day school opening" law restricts high school student access to higher learning. Almost every school of higher education in Virginia ends their fall terms before Christmas. High schools on the other hand have to end their fall term a month later because the General Assembly refuses to allow high schools to open before Labor Day. As a result, high schools are forced to remake them-selves into "little" colleges or trade schools to serve the needs of their students. Clearly, high schools can't offer the array of courses available on the college campuses or at the trade schools.

In the last General Assembly session, the Senator Education Committee on an 8 to 7 vote rejected a request to repeal the "post-Labor Day opening" law. Supporters of repeal include almost every state educational organization and the state Board of Education. Opponents, who view the post-Labor Day opening as only a minor inconvenience, believe it has increased business for the tourism industry the last weeks of August. Unfortunately, neither legislators nor tourism industry officials understood the implication of the law for the 9-13 high schools. Even the educators focused on the broader issue -- local control of schools.

To repeal the "post-Labor Day opening" law and increase educational opportunities for all Virginia students, parents and taxpayers have to get involved. If Virginia high school students are to have the chance to earn a "free" year of college, parents have to let their legislators know. If state high schools are to offer a year of schooling beyond high school without increasing costs, taxpayers have to let their legislators know. Indeed, if Virginia schools are to adequately prepare our young people for global competition, business leaders also need to lend their support. The General Assembly must be persuaded to let high school students use all existing resources to obtain as much education as their interests and abilities allow!

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