Dover School Board approves AP U.S. History textbook after public debate
October 22, 2025 | Dover Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Dover Area School District Board of Directors voted 9-0 Wednesday to approve the district’s requested textbook for the high school AP U.S. History course following public comment and presentations from the social studies department.
The item, listed as Agenda Item 7.01, asked the board to approve American History: Connecting with the Past, 16th edition, as a resource for the AP U.S. History curriculum. The textbook is aligned with College Board unit and exam expectations and is the department’s recommended, updated replacement for the older edition currently in use.
The approval followed more than an hour of public testimony from parents and students and an extended presentation by Curtis Forman, social studies department head at Dover High School, who described the book’s features and how the department plans to use it in AP classrooms. "The textbook is a background resource, not the only resource," Forman said, and urged the board to consider how teachers supplement the text with primary sources, lesson-level materials and classroom discussion.
Several parents and students urged the board to approve the text. Andrew Stefanovich, a parent, said the book “has been specifically adapted to meet the standards of the AP exam” and appealed to the board to decide based on students’ needs, not political arguments. Students who spoke — including Ashland Leedy and Jonathan Ord — described relying on up-to-date texts to prepare for the College Board exam and told the board that the proposed edition is widely used by AP programs.
Board members debated concerns previously raised about passages some directors found interpretive. One director asked administration to continue to monitor how the text is taught, and the superintendent noted Policy 108 requires administration vet proposed curriculum resources before they are presented to the board. Forman told the board the department already uses lesson plans and additional primary sources to develop context and teach historiography and critical reading skills.
After discussion the board opened the motion to approve the textbook. Director Ensign moved to approve the Textbook Request for High School AP U.S. History Course; Director Mee seconded. Mrs. Almond called the roll; the motion passed 9-0.
The board’s formal approval authorizes the administration to purchase the recommended edition and make it available to AP students; the curriculum and classroom practice will remain the responsibility of the superintendent and the high school department.
The board did not amend district curriculum policy as part of this vote. Directors said they expect teachers to continue using multiple sources and to guide students in contextualizing and sourcing primary and secondary materials.
Votes and next steps: the textbook was approved 9-0. The superintendent and department head said they will follow up with any board questions and provide examples of lesson plans that illustrate how the text is used to teach historical thinking skills.
The item, listed as Agenda Item 7.01, asked the board to approve American History: Connecting with the Past, 16th edition, as a resource for the AP U.S. History curriculum. The textbook is aligned with College Board unit and exam expectations and is the department’s recommended, updated replacement for the older edition currently in use.
The approval followed more than an hour of public testimony from parents and students and an extended presentation by Curtis Forman, social studies department head at Dover High School, who described the book’s features and how the department plans to use it in AP classrooms. "The textbook is a background resource, not the only resource," Forman said, and urged the board to consider how teachers supplement the text with primary sources, lesson-level materials and classroom discussion.
Several parents and students urged the board to approve the text. Andrew Stefanovich, a parent, said the book “has been specifically adapted to meet the standards of the AP exam” and appealed to the board to decide based on students’ needs, not political arguments. Students who spoke — including Ashland Leedy and Jonathan Ord — described relying on up-to-date texts to prepare for the College Board exam and told the board that the proposed edition is widely used by AP programs.
Board members debated concerns previously raised about passages some directors found interpretive. One director asked administration to continue to monitor how the text is taught, and the superintendent noted Policy 108 requires administration vet proposed curriculum resources before they are presented to the board. Forman told the board the department already uses lesson plans and additional primary sources to develop context and teach historiography and critical reading skills.
After discussion the board opened the motion to approve the textbook. Director Ensign moved to approve the Textbook Request for High School AP U.S. History Course; Director Mee seconded. Mrs. Almond called the roll; the motion passed 9-0.
The board’s formal approval authorizes the administration to purchase the recommended edition and make it available to AP students; the curriculum and classroom practice will remain the responsibility of the superintendent and the high school department.
The board did not amend district curriculum policy as part of this vote. Directors said they expect teachers to continue using multiple sources and to guide students in contextualizing and sourcing primary and secondary materials.
Votes and next steps: the textbook was approved 9-0. The superintendent and department head said they will follow up with any board questions and provide examples of lesson plans that illustrate how the text is used to teach historical thinking skills.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting