Mod System Case Study

The Issue: In the past couple of weeks, buzz has been generated about the possibility of changing the current Mod System. Some are open to changes being made while others are adamantly against it. The current system has gone unaltered for many years, due to the fact that nobody had felt a need for making changes. As a student, I believe that the system runs smoothly as is, and do not feel any desire for it to be changed.

There is no harm in an initial overlook of the system: evaluating the school, without judgment of the system, or intent of finding flaws to change. Self evaluation is important. However, steps being taken to actually initiate changes to system is a valid cause for tension and anxiety. Any possible changes to be made to the system must be made with the utmost consideration and should not be made rashly. Changing the long standing system would be a big deal to both students and staff.

The student body has been kept somewhat in the dark about the process of making changes to the system. The specifics of
each proposal, especially the not yet completed ones, are not easily accessible to students. However, students have been given a basic concept of what changes are being considered. Some of this information has been given at Assembly, and much of it has been from discussion with teachers who have a hand in the process. Some of the concepts have been interesting.

Proposal One: Eliminate Assembly and/ or Open Block, which would allow for a Late Start on those days instead.

This change could be a healthy and productive system for students. Scientifically speaking, melatonin (a key chemical involved with sleep) in teenagers takes longer to activate and lasts longer than it does in small children and adults. This means that typical high schoolers are biologically built to fall asleep later and wake up later as well. Having a schedule that allows for this would ideally have a large positive impact without much shifting of the structure of the classes.

Proposal Two: Have a Five Mod System, with each Mod being slightly longer than a current Mod.
Implementing this change would theoretically take away a key benefit of the current system: having the ability to take a multitude of varied courses that you personally choose.

Some classes at CSW that are mandatory or highly recommended run for multiple Mods (ranging from two to four Mods in length). These classes are usually considered “core classes” (mostly math and language related courses) and cannot be condensed further than they are. If you are taking these multi-Mod courses with this proposed Five Mod system, there becomes very little room for elective courses after requirements are met. The current Mod System was intended for optimal flexibility and variability, and this proposal does not allow for that.

Proposal Three: Six Mod system, with one additional “Intensive Mod”, during which students have an intensive study in one
subject.

This proposed system still has the same issue as the above one did in regards to required classes. The number of Mods per year (meaning “regular” Mods, not intensive or longer Mods) should continue to be seven. The additional “Intensive Mod” is a creative concept. Having an intensive study in one subject could give students the opportunity to learn in depth about something, which is a rare opportunity. However, if the subjects offered for the ‘Intensive Mod” were limited, than students might be stuck having to do an intensive study of subject that is not of interest to them. Additionally, it’s success would very much depend on the structure and intensity of the curriculum of the “Intensive Mod” for each subject offered. I’m not sure that I could spend the entire day studying one subject for a whole mod.

Conclusion: Changes to the current system are not urgent nor even entirely necessary as of now. The majority of the proposals seem to be not that much more beneficial than our current one. However, if a system was proposed that had the potential for large benefits, more so than our current one, I would not be immediately against it.