School division proposes new CTE tracks, expanded dual‑enrollment and course revisions for 2026–27
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Summary
The Program of Studies draft adds CTE courses (geospatial technology, natural resources), opens some AP/CTE courses, expands dual enrollment with VPCC (including lab sciences) and proposes course deletions and prerequisite changes.
York County school division curriculum leaders presented proposed changes to the Program of Studies for 2026–27 on Nov. 10, detailing new CTE offerings, expanded dual‑enrollment options with Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC), and multiple course revisions and deletions.
"This will include new course proposals, some of the budget implications for those courses along with course deletions and revisions," said Dr. Karen Cagle, director of curriculum and instruction, introducing the packet of changes.
Cagle highlighted a Department of Defense grant of $2 million that supports an environmental/marine‑studies career pathway in the York zone. To feed that pathway, staff proposed new CTE courses including Geospatial Technology I and Introduction to Natural Resources and Ecology Systems; Cagle said those courses offer hands‑on experience and industry credentials that can lead to jobs in urban planning, emergency response and natural‑resource fields.
At the middle‑school level, the division proposes an eighth‑grade high‑school‑credit CTE course, Information Technology Fundamentals, with networking, maintenance and ethical‑use instruction and the opportunity to earn an industry credential.
Cagle described expansion of dual enrollment with VPCC. The division plans to add dual‑enrollment lab sciences (biology and physics) and additional DE math courses; staff said VPCC requires certain campus familiarization and controls some textbook choices, though the division pays for textbooks and works with VPCC on curriculum licensing. "We pay for the textbooks," Cagle said, noting teacher certification and scheduling are operational considerations.
Board members asked about homeschooled students’ access to dual enrollment. Staff said current policy permits only students enrolled in the division to participate in DE classes and that allowing homeschool students would require a policy change; ROTC remains a state‑mandated exception.
Dr. Andrea Evans, coordinator of school counseling, outlined course adjustments including moving a programming course to grades 9–12 (adding Algebra I as a prerequisite), removing grade‑level restrictions from AP science courses to align with College Board guidance, and replacing Math Analysis with dual‑enrollment precalculus for a specific IB pathway.
Evans also reported New Horizons career‑technical course updates (e.g., Small Engine 1 & 2 proposed; course descriptions pending) and several course renames (Unmanned Aircraft Systems to Drones & Aviation; Cisco networking to Cybersecurity Network Engineering; Computer Programming & Gaming Applications to Computer Programming & AI Fundamentals).
Cagle and Evans said redline documents and project worksheets are available on BoardDocs and that the Program of Studies will be returned for board approval at the next regular session.
"We hope that you'll see how the proposed changes align with our strategic plan priority to prepare students for their future," Cagle said.
Next steps include final review and formal approval at the regular session.