Board preview: modest high-school course changes, new digital media and small-unmanned systems course proposed for 2026-27

District staff on Tuesday presented recommended updates to the Northwest ISD 2026-27 High School Academic Planning Guide, most notably curricular updates in Career and Technical Education (CTE), a proposed digital design and media production senior-level course, and a proposed small unmanned aircraft systems course that staff had submitted to the Texas Education Agency for approval.

Staff said the first four changes are TEA-driven updates to course names and PEIMS coding and do not change curriculum content. The proposed digital design and media production course is a new one-credit senior-level option in the digital communications program intended to allow more students to become program completers when they lack room for a two-credit practicum. Staff presented the small unmanned aircraft systems course as a TEA-submitted course for approval to implement next year if approved by the agency.

Other changes: Staff said they are phasing out legacy courses such as printing and imaging technology (merged with commercial photography last year) and removing accounting course listings that are no longer offered at the high school level; accounting topics are now embedded into existing business classes. Staff also proposed adding an "OnRamps Government" half-credit dual-enrollment option for seniors.

Process and timeline: Staff said they would present the recommended changes to principals and return to the board on October 7 with an action item for approval. The transcript records staff27s presentation and the plan to bring the item back to the board for formal approval at the next meeting.

What remains unresolved: The board did not act on the planning guide during the meeting; final adoption and any TEA approvals (for the unmanned aircraft course) will determine whether courses can be offered in 2026-27.