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Board to advance AP African American studies pilot to March meeting after successful James M. Bennett trial
Summary
Board members gave consensus to send an AP African American studies course to the March meeting for formal approval after staff reported a fall pilot at James M. Bennett with 30 completing the course and 24 registering for the AP exam; staff plan expansion pending approval.
Board members on Feb. 26 agreed by consensus to send a proposed Advanced Placement (AP) African American studies course to the March board meeting for formal approval after staff reported on a fall pilot at James M. Bennett High School.
Laurie (Lori) Bach summarized the pilot and said 30 students completed the course and 24 had registered to take the AP exam in May. "We had 30 students who completed the course. 24 of those students have registered to take the AP exam in May," Bach said. The presenter said the pilot class was demographically diverse: 16 African American students, 10 white students and four Asian students; nine course completers had never taken an AP course before.
Course design and resources Instructional staff described the course as interdisciplinary, aligned to national and state social-studies standards, and taught in other Maryland districts. Staff recommended the textbook Freedom on My Mind because it includes curated primary sources and unit-based primary documents and materials. Presenters also said students completed a new AP research project component built into the AP exam framework and that community connections used during the pilot included visits to the NAB Research Center and Adkins Arboretum.
Access and grade level Presenters recommended offering the course to 10th- and 11th-grade students rather than 9th graders because ninth graders typically lack the U.S. history background required for the class. Staff also said teacher training has been completed for the pilot teacher; two additional teacher candidates were identified to teach at other schools if the board approves expansion.
Feedback and support Staff said limited parent and student survey responses were returned (three parent comments and eight student surveys); comments and surveys included positive feedback about research projects and engagement. The packet included a letter of support from the local NAACP, staff said.
Action taken Chairman Malone asked for objections; none were raised, and the board agreed to carry the approval request to the March meeting for a formal vote.
Ending If the board approves the course in March, staff said they plan to train additional teachers and expand course offerings to additional high schools next year.
