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Exeter Township SD to expand AP and advanced offerings in high school program of studies
Summary
High school leaders presented additions to the Soaring Eagle program of studies including AP Seminar and AP Environmental Science and an orientation-to-teaching dual enrollment option; the board will consider the program at its Jan. 21 voting meeting.
Tom Campbell, Exeter Senior High School principal, and Dr. Joe O'Cara presented proposed changes to the high school program of studies known as the Soaring Eagle, telling the board the packet includes new advanced-course options for students.
The administration recommended adding AP Seminar for 10th–12th graders and an AP Environmental Science option to provide an advanced, non–math-based science course. "AP Seminar is . . . one of the two capstone courses from College Board," Dr. O'Cara said. "The entire course is based on research, analyzing data, analyzing different arguments and kind of coming up with their own decisions, both individually and in teams." He added that AP Environmental Science will offer a higher-level option for students who want advanced science without the heavy math of AP Physics or AP Chemistry.
The presentation also proposed a dual-enrollment orientation-to-teaching course offered through Immaculata (a three-course series) intended to strengthen the local teacher pipeline. "It's a dual enrollment course . . . intended to expand the pipeline of teachers," Campbell said, noting the district already has a robust internship program run by Mark Ricketts and that the new course would be layered with that work.
Board members asked about AP testing, participation and supports. "Last year, we had our highest percentage of students receive a 3 or higher in the last five years on our AP tests," Dr. O'Cara said, and he credited expanded teacher practices, more AP-trained teachers and use of an online practice tool called Albert IO. The administration said it continues to offer spring study sessions and teacher supports for students who take APs in fall or spring blocks.
The administration described the Soaring Eagle review as an annual process; most changes are minor edits, but the items presented are the substantive new offerings. The committee moved the Senior High Soaring Eagle packet to the board's Jan. 21 voting agenda for formal approval.
The presentation included academic rationale for the additions, details about logistics and a request that the board advance the packet for a vote at the January meeting.
