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School District Five approves locally created African American Studies honors course
Summary
The board voted to approve a locally developed African American Studies honors course that will include state and local history, partnership opportunities with the Irmo Area Oral History Project and an estimated $15,000–$16,000 in textbook costs to be covered from the academics budget with an internal transfer this fiscal year.
The School District Five Board of Trustees voted on Feb. 10 to approve a locally developed African American Studies honors course that includes state and local history components and a plan to bring community partners into the classroom.
Academics staff presented the framework and syllabus, noting the course adds a column for state and local topics and plans to partner with the Irmo Area Oral History Project for guest speakers. Staff identified two vendors for course texts and estimated textbook costs at roughly $15,000–$16,000; academics staff said the cost can be covered this year through an academic budget transfer and that next year the textbooks would be handled through annual software/textbook purchasing budgets.
Presentation and course content District staff (Melanie Sanford, social studies coordinator; Kira McMillan, teacher; and others) said the course is intended as an elective honors offering that includes research projects and argumentative writing. Staff said the syllabus lists both state history and local topics and that the course is expected to encourage students to dig deeper into locally relevant content.
Community connections and materials During discussion, trustees asked about local history components, including the Edgefield/Edgefield Pottery tradition and displays at the state museum; staff confirmed local pottery history and related resources are included in the course materials and described plans to work with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and other partners on potential classroom exhibits.
Funding and approval Board member Miss McCaskill moved to approve the course framework; the board voted and the motion carried 7 to 0.
Ending: Staff will move forward to implement the course as presented; trustees said they appreciated the local history emphasis and the planned community partnerships.
