PEABODY – Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Principal Ed Sapienza has announced plans to reinstate a difficulty level for core course offerings in effort to help students succeed at their own pace.”This past year has been an experimental year,” said Sapienza. “We’re going back to our traditional ways.”During the 2007-2008 school year, sophomores, juniors and seniors were offered a choice of three course levels, College Prep 1, Honors, and Advanced Placement, each increasing in difficulty. But Sapienza said that by doing so, he’s seen many students fall behind.”We want to start them at a level where they can achieve,” he said during Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting.He plans to add College Prep 2, a slower-paced, classroom-based course, back into the curriculum.”We’ll teach them at a pace and level at which they are capable of learning,” said Sapienza.The major difference between the two College Prep courses is the amount of work done inside and outside of the classroom. College Prep 1 moves at a faster pace and requires students to do much of the workload on their own; whereas College Prep 2 involves more work done during class.”We’re not watering down our curriculum,” said Sapienza. “This is not a throw away track?This is a track where certain kids can achieve and focus.”School Committee members backed Sapienza’s plans wholeheartedly.”I always support your (critiques),” said Ed Nizwantowski. “I strongly believe in teaching at a level which students are capable of learning.”School Committee member Dave McGeney applauded Sapienza for taking the courage to admit that this trial year didn’t work out as planned. He, too, agrees to the changes if it means improving the success rate of students.”This is an excellent step for those students,” said Beverly Ann Griffin Dunne. “We’re always told that everyone learns at a different pace, and students try but don’t always have the opportunity to.”The Committee voted 6-0 in favor of the curriculum changes for the 2008-2009 school year.