Board approves switch from Pre‑AP label to ‘accelerated’ and ‘advanced’ in course catalogs

The Rogers School District Board approved revised middle‑ and high‑school course catalogs that replace the district’s Pre‑AP labels with two designations: “accelerated” (courses that cover more standards in a school year) and “advanced” (courses that go deeper into standards).

Administrators said the change aligns the district with Arkansas curriculum standards and the ATLAS assessment, and that the state has moved away from supporting the Pre‑AP grant. District staff described accelerated classes as compressing grade‑level and next‑grade standards (for example, taking 6th‑grade and some 7th‑grade math in one year) and described advanced courses as more in‑depth work at grade level.

The administration noted growing interest in concurrent‑credit programs with NWAC/NWACC and reported the district graduated roughly "30‑something" students with an associate's degree last year through those partnerships; officials said the district aims to enroll approximately 50 juniors in concurrent cohorts annually.

Board members asked about parent communication; administrators said counselors have been informed, the district held a parent night with about 250 families, and additional marketing is planned ahead of registration. A motion to approve the catalogs passed by voice vote.

Next steps: administration will incorporate the catalog language and continue outreach to families and counselors as registration approaches.