Board adopts updated course outlines and curricula for AP precalculus, chemistry and world languages

The board approved a package of course-adoption items covering high-school mathematics, science and world languages.

AP precalculus: Stephanie Rice, director of educational services, said Benicia High School math teachers recommended using the CPM Precalculus curriculum aligned to the College Board AP Precalculus framework rather than the district’s previously written advanced-math outline. Trustees discussed pathway impacts: staff noted that students who complete AP Precalculus as juniors could move to AP Calculus AB in the following year but that the schedule changes may limit students’ ability to take AP Calculus BC without additional options (such as community-college concurrent enrollment or summer coursework).

High-school chemistry: Rice presented a curated chemistry curriculum aligned with NGSS and designed to be lab-rich and accessible to special-education and new teachers. Trustees praised the science team’s work and approved the adoption.

World languages: The board approved updated course outlines for Spanish 1, 2 and 3 to align with the Senderos curriculum the district adopted, and approved a new AP Spanish Language and Culture course outline (Tomas curriculum). The AP Spanish course was described as intermediate-to-advanced, taught only in Spanish, and including cultural projects, conversational practice and argumentative writing.

All curriculum items were approved on individual motions. Trustees asked staff to provide counseling guidance for students seeking accelerated math pathways so families understand options to reach calculus BC-level coursework.

Why it matters: Curriculum adoptions and course-outline changes shape student pathways to AP exams and college credit; trustees asked staff to ensure advising covers accelerated-math options and concurrent-enrollment alternatives for students seeking BC-level calculus.