By Neel Thakkar
Editor-in-Chief
Faced with reduced staffing levels for the next school year, the Math and Science Department has had to scale back its AP science offerings.
Though no classes have been cut entirely, the three two-period AP science classes — AP Biology, AP Chemistry and AP Physics C — are going to be cut in length.  Physics is going to become a one-period class, while biology and chemistry, which require more lab time, will essentially become one and a half period each.
More accurately, both biology and chemistry will each hold two classes in three periods.  The first class will be alone with the teacher for a period, followed by a flexible period.  During the third period, the second class will be alone.  Both classes will attend the flexible period, which will be like a study hall in another room, with the teacher able to call students in and out depending on the needs of that day’s lesson.
According to Division Head Keith Bellof, the change was the only way the department could deal with the staffing cuts without cutting course offerings.  Since each teacher is contractually limited to teaching five classes per day, reducing the length of AP science classes — except for AP Environmental Science, already a one-period class — will free those teachers up to teach additional classes.
In the case of AP Physics, the cuts mark a return to the past.  For most of its history, the class — which prepares students for two AP tests — was taught in one class period.  According to its teacher, Mark Welter, Prospect has always posted average scores of well above four on each test regardless of the format of the class.  He said students in the one-period classes tended to make up for the lack of time in class by coming in for extra help.
Though the cuts were made out of necessity rather than choice, they have had a liberating effect on the schedules of the students set to take them next year.
Junior Brian Greene had made a four-period commitment to AP Chemistry and AP Physics for next year.  When the changes were made, his counselor asked him if he wanted to take another class.  He took an open period instead.