Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum Change topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves course changes to expand concurrent enrollment amid falling AP participation
Summary
The board approved course proposals that expand concurrent enrollment (college‑in‑the‑schools and other CE options) as a strategy to retain students taking PSEO classes off campus; presenters cited a drop in AP exams from about 1,600 to 900–1,000 over recent years.
The board approved course proposals that add and expand concurrent enrollment (CE) offerings intended to provide college credit under district supervision and to respond to declining Advanced Placement (AP) exam participation and rising PSEO enrollment.
Principal Bach (presenting school leader) said the shift is a strategic response to enrollment and course‑choice trends: "We want to make sure that the word on the street is that Stillwater Area High School is where you're going to get the best education," he said, describing the CE expansion as part of a broader schedule 'reboot' to make the high school experience more attractive and to keep students in district programs.
Bach and staff said AP exam participation has fallen substantially — from roughly 1,600 AP exams three years ago to between 900 and 1,000 last year — while PSEO participation has risen. A student speaker said many peers prefer PSEO because it provides guaranteed college credit and is perceived as less intimidating than the AP exam: "Students, for the majority, they take PSEO classes because you can get an entire degree and insured college credit," the student said.
Board members asked how the district would maintain academic rigor and oversight for CE courses. Bach described processes for working with partner institutions — sharing course content, regular meetings, and university faculty observations of classroom instruction — and said counselors play an integral role in course registration and family communications. The board voted to approve the course proposals by voice/hand vote.
