Johnson City board approves 2025 program of studies; math and computer-science changes highlighted

The Johnson City Board of Education approved the district's 2025 program of studies on final reading during its January meeting, adopting changes that alter how high-school math credits and computer-science requirements can be counted toward graduation.

The program change follows new guidance from the Tennessee State Board of Education that reduces the rigid year-by-year expectation for math at the high-school level and establishes a one-credit computer-science requirement for current ninth-graders. The board voted to approve the program after presentation and discussion; the motion to adopt passed after a voice vote (mover/second: not specified in the record).

Doctor Alicia Carter, principal of Science Hill High School, opened the meeting's school presentation with a review of the high school's academic profile, noting national metrics and course participation. "We want to make sure every student that graduates from Science Hill is equipped to do what they want to do," Carter said, summarizing the school's mission to prepare students for college, career or other postsecondary plans. Carter highlighted Advanced Placement participation (1,543 AP tests administered to 743 students last year) and an ACT composite that the school reported as 21.7.

Doctor David Tims, who presented the program-of-studies changes, described the key policy shifts the board approved. He said the state has "removed the expectation that students at the high school level in Tennessee take a math each year" while retaining a total of four required math credits; the change gives students flexibility to complete the required credits across their high-school careers. Tims also explained that algebra taken in eighth grade may now count toward the four required high-school math credits. "That does give us that option for those students," he said.

The program also implements a district plan to require one credit of computer science for incoming ninth-graders. Tims said computer-science credit can now be configured to "triple-dip": counting as computer science, as a CTE (career and technical education) pathway credit and, in some cases, as a math or science substitution where state rules permit.

Tims and other staff also described adjustments affecting CTE course names and delivery, expanded dual-enrollment opportunities with local partners (including a Ballad Health LPN pathway and Project SEARCH placements for students with higher needs), and revisions to four-year planning sheets to reflect the new math and substitution options.

Board members pressed for clarifications during discussion. One member asked whether the math change applied retroactively to current juniors; the presenter said students already meeting four math credits remain compliant. Another member asked about two computer classes removed from the CTE catalog; the CTE lead said those sections were phased out after declining student enrollment and that related standards may be met in other STEM offerings. The board also discussed NCAA eligibility: some locally created courses must be approved by the NCAA clearinghouse before those classes can count toward NCAA eligibility for college athletics; district staff said they are submitting course materials for review but approval timelines are set by the clearinghouse.

The board approved the program of studies by voice vote after a motion and second; no roll-call tally was read into the meeting record. The board also voted during the meeting to adopt a related policy update (policy 5.802, qualifications and duties of the superintendent) and took several other consent and action votes listed in the meeting record.

The program-of-studies approval takes immediate effect for course sequencing and scheduling; district staff said updated sheets and course catalogs will be communicated to families and students. Officials said NCAA clearance updates will be posted as approvals are received.