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District updates high-school course catalog: personal finance now required, two new CTE courses, math pathway starts with geometry
Summary
The district previewed changes to the 2025–26 high school course catalog: personal finance becomes a graduation requirement, new CTE offerings (baking & pastry and line-worker electricity), and a new math progression that begins with geometry with statistics.
Orangeburg County School District staff presented planned updates to the high-school course catalog for 2025–26 at the Jan. 14 meeting, highlighting three major changes: personal finance as a graduation requirement, two new CTE programs, and a revised math progression.
District staff said personal finance will be required for graduation and is recommended for students in their junior or senior years. Two new CTE programs — baking and pastry, and electricity line worker — were identified; staff indicated these programs will be offered through the district’s career/technical sites (Lake Marion Technology Center and others under development).
The district also reviewed the state’s revised math progression. Under the new pathway, students begin with geometry (paired with statistics), then take Algebra I, followed by Algebra II with probability; later courses include modeling and applied mathematics options in place of some traditional tracks so students can complete four mathematics credits aligned to varied career and postsecondary paths. Staff said the change is designed to reduce the number of students who become stalled in Algebra I and to provide more visual and applied mathematics options.
Board members asked questions and several expressed support while noting teachers had earlier raised concerns about math sequencing. District staff noted the changes also reflect new state standards for the mathematics courses. The catalog is a living document and will be updated as state guidance changes.
No formal vote on catalog adoption was recorded; the presentation was informational and intended to prepare families and counselors for course selection.
