Hanley High proposes new electives and Spanish expansion; board raises concern over dropped courses and internship credit changes
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Summary
Jason, the John Hanley High presenter, proposed new electives and a reconfigured Spanish pathway while noting several course deletions tied to recent VDOE guidance on credit‑bearing course status.
Jason, the John Hanley High School presenter, walked the board through the proposed program of studies changes for the coming year, describing new course offerings and pathway adjustments and noting a number of course deletions tied to state guidance.
Key course additions and pathway changes include:
- "Teachers for Tomorrow," a ninth‑grade elective and a 1‑2 level sequence intended to introduce education careers; - A Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) pathway in CTE; - Television and media production 1 and 2; - Expansion of Spanish pathways including new conversation and culture courses after Spanish 4, with options that could lead to AP Spanish or applied translation certifications.
Jason said some courses were removed because of state VDOE updates about what can be credit bearing in certain CTE and mentorship categories. "A lot of these CTE ones were removed in response to a VDOE update," he said, and he described internships and mentorships that previously counted for credit as no longer credit bearing under the recent change. Board members expressed frustration that the decision appeared sudden and said they had not been given a clear statewide rationale; one board member called the timing "irresponsible."
Board members also noted broader effects: the division’s move to CEP and state changes affect how course enrollment and credit are counted, and members raised concerns about losing access to language options such as German, Latin and possibly French over time as enrollment dictates.
Jason highlighted that the Spanish pathway expansion aims to produce greater conversational fluency and to create certificate opportunities for student translators; staff noted engagement from community partners (e.g., Valley Health) to explore translation/placement opportunities.
Next steps: the board will consider the program‑of‑studies revisions and related policy adjustments as they come forward on the agenda; staff said final course listings and any implementation changes will be reported back to the board.