Haltom High School - Buffalo Yearbook (Haltom City, TX)

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BACK TO SEMESTERS Change to semesters The legislative change from two four-month semesters to three three-month quarters was a decision made by the Texas State Legislature in 1971. The Birdville Independent School District became a part of the quarter system in the 1972-73 school year, Lawmakers felt that a quarter system would allow students to choose their vacations at anytime of the year and that business would grow throughout the state because of this, Dr. Dale Gaskill, assistant superintendent for in- struction, said that parents and students were supposed to have been prompted to take their vacations in seasons other than summer, Thus tourism would have been spread through the year. Another objective of the quarter system was to provide a greater variety of classes and 1 9 teachers to students. Rather than two divisions in the school year, there would have been three, providing eighteen possible instead of twelve, The quarter system would also use public school buildings more efficiently since they would be filled with classes throughout the year. The legislature decided to change schools back to semesters in 1979, effective this year, There isn't a good reason Cfor the change back to semestersjf' Principal Leon Hagmann said, but concerning the quarter change in '72, There wasn't one Ca reasonj to begin with! Counselorjim Farmer checks another schedule. The main fea5On for the Change bagk to -Q, W Student Council members Kim Allen, Cindy Stegall,joan Gooding, and Sheri Drysdale spend a day register- ing freshmen. Luw brings buck division of early seventies semesters, according to Dr. Gaskill, was that the state never funded the fourth quarter for which the system was devised. Because students could not choose their vacations free- ly, the better business idea was never realized. In addition, students did not exhibit the predicted behavior of selecting different teachers and courses. The students were found to be more security-oriented and tended to keep their chosen teachers for all three quarters that were available. Also seniors graduating early were not able to enter spring college sessions. The semester system benefited many students in that when their credits were totall- ed those that had a fraction of a credit now had more under the new grading. A person with a M ofa credit now had a W, and one with M now had a complete year's credit. There were some small requirement changes, most of them in health, free enterprise, and government. Mrs. Clark prepares for many hours of registration. Semesters offer the ability of being in unison with the majority of the nation. Students from out of state found it difficult to get credit transformed from their usual semesters to the past quarter system. Most col- leges were in a semester system and it was helpful for high school students to have a similar record for crediting. It Csemestersj is better because it is what the rest of the nation is on, Mr. Hagmann said. Mr. Gaskill said that there was a statewide mood during the early seventies for schools to be innovative, so quartets prevailed. However, people were accustomed to taking their vaca- tions during the summer, and, lt is difficult to implement something that people won't ac- cept. You don't change a person's views by changing legislation.

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ELECTION The visit of President Carter to Fort Worth in November brought national television exposure to Cowtown and the Highsteppers fin backgroundj, who gave Carter a flag salute at his arrival. i L rx .. st. , Q i .J Presidentjimmy Carter tries to stir the Fort Worth crowd of Democrats to support his re-election campaign. P- Before the arrival of President Carter, the large, restless crowd was entertained by such performers as Moe Bandy. In his campaign speech, President Carter placed an emphasis on strength. He was accompanied by his wife, Rosalyn, on this Fort Worth visit. Others present were Congressman jim Wright and Senator Lloyd Bentsen.

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BACK TO SEMESTERS i I 1 IIIIIIIYILLE INDEPENDENT SCHIIIIL IlIS'IIlIUI' FORT WORTH, TEXAS BILLY H. SMITH. SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT GRADE REPORT 19 GRADE STUDENT'S NAME LAST NAME FIRST NAME MI. SCHOOL PRINCIPAL i...l ....... HOME ROOM TEACHER - SUBJECT Fall Semester Spring Semester I Explanauon of Gmdlng Svstem vi l Q 2+ CONDUCT J, - -. , 3 E C: E E If A- 90-92 I -Incomplete ,E S 3 ,E ,E Q 3 B+ 87-89 S - Satisfactory z Z 2 ig 2 2 E 5 is sa-as N - Needs Improvement l S -E as S E 'E eu S B- 80-82 U - Unsatisfactory . N W 'f V' c+ 77-79 NC A No mun- C 73-76 Insufficient C- 70-72 attendance D+ 67-89 Conduct D 53,55 U- 60-62 Times Absent F 59 81 below I L Passing, but not recommended for college entrance. This grade IS to be given when attitude and effort indicates that it is to the student's best interest to pass or INSTRUCTOR be promoted. STUDENT COPY I 1-1' 1 . I The '80-'81 report card shows the general effect of the semester system but cannot reflect the time and ex- pense Texas schools invested in this change. junior Alicia Eckert helps register a freshman from her alma mater, North Oaksjunior High. p V i .nef- New an-1245? 'W- Rose Casillas, Terri Riehl, Cyndi King, andjaysen Maurice listen to Howard Baker, history profess 0 W Q ' K or. The semester change allowed classes like this one to be integrated into the college schedule of instructors. '--...Z-'Pi