Williamston teacher proposes AP European History; board to consider course at Jan. 6 meeting

Anne Wade, a high-school history teacher, asked the board to add AP European History to Williamston High School’s course offerings and said the program could be ready for the next round of student course enrollment if the board approves it at the Jan. 6 organizational meeting.

Wade described the College Board AP European History curriculum, the recommended textbook and the course’s nine units. She said students who score a 3 or higher on the AP exam can earn college credit—at Michigan State, for example, that can translate to three to eight credits depending on score and program. Wade said the course will deepen students’ study of Europe from about 1450 onward, covering themes such as political change, revolutions and national identity, and that it would extend the district’s existing AP offerings.

Wade said student interest is strong; she told the board that roughly 58 students had expressed interest. She also said the course material can support required instruction on the Holocaust and related content, and that department staffers are coordinating with state standards. The presentation included a plan to pilot course resources and allow teachers and students to review furniture and curricular materials prior to rollout.

Wade asked that the board place the course on the Jan. 6 agenda so that it can be added to the high-school course catalog when students enroll. Adam said administrators will route the proposal to the Jan. 6 organizational meeting for a formal board decision.