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School committee approves East Providence High School 2025–26 program of studies
Summary
Principal Black presented curriculum changes including a new AP Seminar for 10th grade, expanded biotechnology and CTC pathways, revised math sequencing to meet RIDE graduation rules, and an academic‑integrity process for AI/plagiarism; the committee voted to approve the program.
Principal Black presented the East Providence High School 2025–26 program of studies to the school committee and outlined several curricular changes intended to expand college and career pathways and meet updated state graduation requirements. "We're going to add AP Seminar for tenth grade," Black said, noting three trained teachers will deliver the yearlong class. He also proposed a semester elective called Literature of Latin Cultures, a move to yearlong biotechnology courses tied to an Amgen partnership, and an expansion of AP psychology to a full‑year option.
Black described adjustments to math sequencing —moving students through algebra, geometry and then algebra II—to align with Rhode Island Department of Education rules for graduation cohorts, and said some courses no longer approved by RIDE will be phased out with attention to transitions for upperclassmen. He detailed pathway work with the CTC and early‑enrollment college credit arrangements with the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.
On academic integrity, Black described a teacher/administrator panel and a Google‑form reporting process to investigate suspected misuse of internet tools and AI. "We put a team together," he said, describing staff training, an investigatory committee and procedures for informing students and families and, where appropriate, allowing retakes or further discipline depending on patterns of behavior.
Committee members thanked Black for the presentation and pressed for details on credit counts and implementation. The committee voted to approve the program of studies after discussion. The motion carried by voice vote. The committee chair said scheduling would begin after approval, with counselors meeting students in January for the mid‑January to mid‑February scheduling window.
The district indicated it will include the new academic‑integrity language in the student handbook and communicate changes to families; the superintendent and department chairs will support rollout and training. The committee recorded the approval during the meeting; no amendments to the program were made on the floor.
