To improve proficiency in English/language arts, math and science, the Orcutt Union School District is adjusting classroom instruction times at the junior high level.

          Currently, students at Lakeview and Orcutt Junior High Schools spend forty-five minutes daily in each of their six classes. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, time spent in English, science and math classes will be increased to sixty-two minutes.  The classroom time for history and electives, including band, will be reduced to accommodate the change.

          “We are finding that student achievement drops when students enter junior high school,” says Joe Dana, Assistant Superintendent Education Services.  “At the elementary school level, students receive significantly more instruction time, 60 to 90 minutes per day in math and English language arts.  That drops to forty-five minutes in each of the core subjects in junior high school.  How can we increase competency if we are only giving forty-five minutes daily to each of these critical subjects?” 

          Dana says the increase from forty-five to sixty-two minutes in classroom time will allow junior high school teachers the time needed to teach a full lesson, check for understanding, and then provide tutoring and intervention for those students who need extra help. 

          History will continue to be taught in the seventh and eighth grades, but instruction time will be about 30 percent less.  “Everybody understands the importance of history and electives.  But we only have so much instructional time.  We feel that we need to prioritize core instruction to improve student achievement,” Dana explains. 

          Monique Segura, President of the Orcutt Educators’ Association, added, “Teachers agree that we need to provide the opportunities for students to become proficient in the core curricular areas.  It is also important that students develop an understanding and appreciation for history and government.  To be able to meet the needs of our students, history teachers need the support of the District to redevelop their curriculum and address the increase in class sizes and other challenges that will arise with this change.”

            Assessment scores on state-mandated tests in the core subjects are improving.  However, they are below the pre-Covid 19 level. In spring testing last year in language arts, 46.81 percent of Orcutt students met or exceeded the state standard.  In math, students scored at 38.1 percent; and in science, they tested at 35 percent.          Steve Southwick reporting