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District to seek board approval to add AP African American Studies as elective for 2025-26
Summary
The curriculum office asked the board to approve AP African American Studies for grades 11'12 beginning in 2025-26, noting the course is interdisciplinary, includes an independent student research project, and would follow College Board guidance and training.
The Eastern Area School District's curriculum office told the school board it will ask the board to add Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies as an elective for the 2025-26 school year.
"We are looking to run this course in the 25, 26 school year," the curriculum presenter said, noting the College Board piloted the course in prior years and will administer the first traditional AP exam for the course in May. The district intends the class to be an elective targeted to grades 11 and 12 at rollout.
Course content and structure: the administration described the course as interdisciplinary, covering history, literature and culture while including an independent student research project that begins after Unit 2 and is scored against an established College Board rubric. The presentation listed five units (origins, freedom/enslavement/resistance, practice of freedom, movements/debates, and extensions for further study) and said the course will emphasize analytical skills and college-level assessment practices.
Staffing and training: the district said it will pursue College Board training for at least one, possibly two, teachers and that state and district professional-development funds will cover training and materials. The district is monitoring a state survey about training and possible scholarships to reduce teacher costs.
Assessment and equity: AP exams are graded on a 1'to'5 scale; students who score 3 or higher may receive college credit depending on the receiving institution. Presenters said exam fees for qualifying low-income students can be reimbursed through College Board and state programs and that Title funding may be used where permitted.
Next steps: the administration will place a recommendation on the Jan. 28 board agenda to add the course to the high school course catalog and begin teacher training, curriculum adoption and community outreach. Materials adoption would come later in the spring after pilot materials are reviewed.
