Compressing a calendar means shortening the academic semester from 18 to 16 without the loss of instructional time in the classroom.
No, there are currently 50+ community colleges using a compressed calendar and many more districts currently considering moving to a compressed calendar. Diablo Valley and Los Medanos College will also be converting to the compressed calendar for fall 2018.
Winter intersession is not required and will not be fully implemented until the 2019-2020 academic year. In 2019, there will be a January-start cybersession.
The total class hours will remain the same, they will just be compressed into longer blocks of time to accommodate the shorter semester.
Example:
A course that used to meet on Monday and Wednesday, 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will now meet Monday and Wednesday, 11:10 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
Time Blocks for 3 Unit Classes
Monday – Friday |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. |
| 9:35 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. |
| 11:10 a.m. – 12:35 a.m. |
| 12:45 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. |
| 2:30 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. |
| 4:05 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. |
| 7:25 p.m. – 10:35 p.m. |
We have established several blocks so that they will be convenient for all students. There will be a minimum of 10 minutes passing time between each block.
Yes, the meeting times will be longer to accommodate the shorter semester.
Yes, that will still be possible.
Yes. The fees will be the same, because the courses will have the same number of units.
Yes, there will still be late start classes available but they will be standardized to 8 and 12 week durations.
Counselors will each have 2.5 more hours per week to work with students. No other changes to service hours are anticipated at this time.
For 2018-19, there will be no changes to financial aid. This may change once intercessions are implemented.