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Board reviews new ETHS courses including ELEAD AP seminar, internships and dual‑language math
Summary
The board reviewed proposals for two new academic-support courses (ELEAD), an AP English seminar exclusive to the ELEAD cohort, a summer internship course for credit, dual‑credit fashion merchandising and the expansion of algebra and geometry sections taught in Spanish as part of a dual‑language pathway.
Evanston Township High School trustees on Sept. 8 heard proposals for new courses and changes designed to expand early‑college opportunities, internships, dual‑language instruction and supports for special‑education students.
Pete (presenter name in packet), the district’s curriculum representative, said the new courses align with the district’s goals and “enhance post high school planning through internships and early college opportunities.” He described two new academic‑support ELEAD courses, an AP English 10 seminar restricted to the ELEAD cohort, and a summer internship course that will award credit for iKit internships.
Nut graf: Why it matters – the package adds entry points to advanced coursework for sophomores, creates credited pathways for internships and expands dual‑language instruction to algebra and geometry as part of a long‑term pre‑K–12 two‑way immersion effort.
Details presented include: - ELEAD academic‑support courses and a second‑year leadership/identity seminar, plus an English 10 AP seminar accessible only by application for ELEAD students. The board was told the AP seminar is “a nice entry into advanced placement coursework, early college work, in the tenth grade.” - A summer internship course that provides CTE credit and can satisfy a career-and-technical-education graduation requirement. - An AP business and personal finance course (a Capstone AP offering) that requires an introductory business class as a prerequisite; the district affirmed that financial-literacy graduation requirements continue to be offered in introductory business courses. - Dual‑credit fashion merchandising in partnership with Harper College. - A new concert orchestra ensemble to bridge string orchestra and symphony orchestra (audition based). - Special‑education instructional courses including Algebra 2 foundations and life & physical science for special education. - Dual‑language sections for algebra and geometry, building on last year’s Spanish Language Arts 1 and 2 and intended as steps toward a K–12 two‑way immersion pathway in Evanston.
Board members asked clarifying questions about prerequisites and access. Leah, a board member, asked whether the AP business/personal finance course required a prerequisite; the presenters confirmed an introductory business class is expected. Leah also asked whether the dual‑language algebra course would be open to grades 9–12; presenters said it would be open to students who transfer in or are Spanish‑fluent and noted the district does not want students taking Algebra 1 in 12th grade but will accommodate appropriate placement for transfers.
Board members praised special‑education additions that provide multi‑year science and bridge math opportunities. “I was really, really happy to see that for special education, there's the Algebra 2 foundations course, which can serve as a bridge,” one board member said.
Ending: The new courses and course changes were presented as a first reading for board review; the package will return for board action in a future meeting and, if approved, teachers and department chairs will finalize curricula and assessments.
