Published: May 15, 2008 11:47 am      

Administrators weigh pros, cons of open space and effects on children

CUMBERLAND - A number of stakeholders in the open space classroom design have complained about excessive noise levels, which are proving to be a distraction for students.

Finding a balance between the creation of an environment conducive to learning and teaching with a plan to maximize the utilization of available space is not so easy.

The pros and cons of opens space classrooms - learning centers not divided by walls - were discussed during Tuesday's Allegany County Board of Education meeting. Jane Dawson, board vice president, said she's been asked several times by principals to research partitions that could absorb noise.

That approach, she said, "doesn't deal with the problem."

It also brings up concerns about the fire code. She said she's talked with Vince Montana, director of facilities, about seeing what an architect might be able to design to address the noise.

But for board member Tom Striplin, it's a new concern.

"Is there a problem?" he asked.

One administrator said yes.

"There is a problem," said Dan Clark, principal at George's Creek Elementary School, which has had open space classrooms since the 1975-76 school year. "Groups of six to eight kids do get boisterous (and) loud."

He said the concept of the open space classroom is "a naturally loud program," noise from which can be "heard sometimes through three classrooms. It pulls (other students') attention away."

Steve Wilson is principal at South Penn Elementary School, which has had open space classrooms since it opened nearly 30 years ago. He said the design works - students are taught well - but teachers would prefer their own classrooms. The school's 293 students in grades two through five all are in classrooms without walls.

"I don't think there's a simple answer to your question," Wilson said, of which method is better or more effective. "We've had open space for a long time. I can't say kids have not learned. Our teachers do a good job of making it work."

On Wednesday, South Penn Assistant Principal Steve Llewellyn said there are benefits to the concept. Llewellyn taught for two years in the open space environment and eight years with walls.

"I always preferred to have walls," Llewellyn said. "But team teaching, collaboration among colleagues, is improved with places that don't have walls. Communication from teacher to teacher just needs to be more planned" to make it work.

Wilson called the level of racket and rumpus a "working noise."

He said the students who have the most difficult time in open space classrooms are those who have trouble focusing or are distracted easily.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.



Allegany County Board Of Education

LAST Meeting: Tuesday

ACTION:

* Approved three-hour early dismissals for students June 6, 7 and 9, subject to the approval of the Allegany County Teachers Association. June 10 already is scheduled for a three-hour early dismissal.

* Accepted the first reading of a revised attendance policy. Board member Jane Dawson expressed concern at the number of seniors not staying in school all day. Seventy-eight percent, or 388 of the 493 seniors not enrolled at the Center for Career and Technical Education, take four credits or less, said Janet Wilson, assistant superintendent for instruction. Only 65 of the students are enrolled in early college while 11 others are in dual enrollment. Wilson said it's the result of the state board of education's decision to allow seniors to leave each day after graduation requirements are met.

* Approved turning off the employees' insurance deductions for the two pay periods in June at a cost totaling $144,000.

NEXT Meeting: 5 p.m. work session, 7 p.m. public meeting June 10, Central Office, 108 Washington St.