Springfield Township SD proposes expanded dual‑enrollment and course updates in high‑school program of studies

Members of the Springfield Township School District Academic Affairs Committee on an evening meeting heard proposed updates to the high‑school Program of Studies for the 2025–26 school year that expand dual‑enrollment partnerships, clarify scheduling and honors criteria, and rework some special‑education support offerings.

Assistant Superintendent Damian Johnston introduced the presentation from high‑school staff. Dr. Skregan, one of the presenters, said the updated Program of Studies ‘‘includes a discussion for all students and families to understand the difference between first and second honors’’ and adds clearer explanations of the annual scheduling process so students and families know how to request changes later.

Why it matters: district staff said the changes are intended to broaden college credit opportunities while improving clarity for families and strengthening supports for students with disabilities.

Key proposals and details

- Expanded dual‑enrollment partnerships: Staff described new agreements with the College of New Jersey and the University of Pittsburgh in addition to ongoing offerings with Montgomery County Community College (Montco). Dr. Skregan said the district will code dual‑enrollment options in the Program of Studies so students can identify them while planning schedules. The presentation said the expansion will increase offerings ‘‘four to five times’’ over current opportunities; Dr. Skregan also noted district data that ‘‘we currently have six students who have signed up in their multivariable calculus class to get dual enrollment with Montco’’ for the spring term. Miss Whitaker was named as a district teacher who completed training to teach University of Pittsburgh dual‑enrollment courses on campus.

- Bridge Academy (Drexel): The Program of Studies will list the Bridge Academy at Drexel as an optional, tuition‑free opportunity for tenth‑, eleventh‑ and twelfth‑grade students who can travel to Drexel; staff clarified Drexel’s faculty travel to Springfield is not part of that program.

- Special‑education instructional support: The high school’s single umbrella ‘‘instructional support’’ course would be restructured into four distinct courses focused on executive functioning, math, language arts and emotional support; placement would be driven by teacher recommendations and students’ IEP goals.

- Career‑technology and scheduling: Career‑tech offerings such as game design will be scheduled on an every‑other‑year rotation (to match staffing), and the district plans new course coding for electives tied to dual‑enrollment credit (for example, an ‘‘Introduction to Computing for the Humanities’’ math elective tied to Pitt). Staff explained these choices are intended to expand offerings within current staffing levels.

- AP course adjustments: The AP language and composition course will revert from 1.5 credits to a standard 1.0 credit (every other day) to align with College Board guidance and neighboring districts. Staff said this frees student time while preserving alignment. AP Psychology will be limited to eleventh‑ and twelfth‑grade students going forward because of updated College Board prerequisites requiring more math and science preparation.

- Music and performing arts: District staff said the course descriptions for symphonic band, mixed chorus and concert choir will encourage multi‑year participation to build program continuity rather than students signing up for a single year.

Board and student engagement

Student representatives asked clarifying questions about whether volunteer participation in performing arts could earn honors credit and whether the University of Pittsburgh and College of New Jersey dual‑enrollment courses would be taught by district teachers or college faculty. Dr. Skregan explained dual enrollment can be offered in three models: students take a college course on campus or online, a college professor teaches in the school, or a district teacher is approved by the college to teach for dual credit; she confirmed some district teachers have been approved in each model.

Outcome and next steps

Committee members present indicated they were comfortable with staff proceeding to build schedules around the recommended Program of Studies changes. Staff said the Program of Studies will be finalized for board consideration and then used to guide the spring scheduling process.