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Board discusses William Penn course guide changes; trustees seek continued AP access for students
Summary
Administrators explained changes to William Penn High School's course guide, including adding AP Calculus and altering physics/chemistry tracks; board members pressed for steps to protect access to advanced courses for underrepresented students.
Board members questioned instructional staff about updates to William Penn High School's course guide during the academic program review.
District staff said African American history remains an elective but has not run recently because there were too few student requests and no teacher available this year. Administrators described staffing and enrollment constraints that can keep electives from running.
On higher-level coursework, staff clarified the guide will add Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus; the district also intends to streamline some science offerings by moving from multiple conceptual tracks to regular and honors tracks. One board member expressed concern that reducing parallel conceptual courses could reduce access to higher-level classes for students of color and urged continued efforts to promote and provide AP-level coursework. The superintendent and academic staff said they plan to offer 15 AP courses this year, with some available via the BCA (regional/virtual) program if local enrollment is insufficient. "We are actually offering 15 AP course this year," a district administrator said.
Why it matters: Access to AP and honors coursework affects college readiness and admissions prospects. Board members asked staff to ensure the district's course offerings and advising do not unintentionally limit access for historically underrepresented students.
Next steps: District staff said they will continue to vet course offerings with counselors and principals, promote AP/elective options to students, and use a Google form process for teacher-submitted elective proposals. Trustees asked staff to monitor enrollment patterns and consider whether some courses should be required or more actively promoted to expand access.
