BALTIMORE -- Middle school classes are about to become shorter in Anne Arundel County.

Tim Tooten Reports

The district is planning to switch from a four-period day to a six-period day.

Anne Arundel County students are in class an average of about 86 minutes -- about an hour and a half -- each period. But the district is looking to cut that time to 58 minutes while increasing the number of classes students attend on any given day.

"I think that's better. If kids stay in class too long, they lose the attention," said parent Trisha O'Neal.

Middle School Proposal The Six-Period Day Model

Parents aren't the only ones sold on shorter middle school class periods.

"I think it would be great for our students, it would be great for teachers. It allows them a little bit more planning time, perhaps. I think it also depends on the course," said teacher Stacey Warner.

The proposal has the backing of county schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Maxwell.

"We're seeing a decline in our achievement for our students in middle schools. They seem to peak in fourth grade and there is a little bit of a dip in fifth grade, and it just continues to decline in middle school. We see that across the country and across the state. It's not unique to Anne Arundel County, but the issue is, how do we fix it?" Maxwell said.

The class changes may be the first step toward reaching that goal, but for middle school principals, there may be another incentive to reducing class time.

"The kids will be in the halls more, so we will have to monitor that and see how that goes. But I also believe that we'll have fewer incidents of kids being disruptive in the classroom because there are shorter periods. By the time they are down and working and bored, they'll be moving on to the next class," said Lindale Middle School Principal George Lindley.

The changes will cost the district nearly $7.5 million. They're expected to be in place by next fall.

To learn more about the county's six- period model, click on the links above.