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Board reviews first reading of AP African American Studies course; CCAC recommends moving forward
Summary
An educator‑driven proposal for AP African American Studies was presented to the Hillsboro School District board with CCAC recommending the course move forward. The course would be year‑long, aimed at grades 10–12, include four thematic units and a project component, and requires teacher training and curricular alignment with the AP course framework.
At a first reading, the board heard a proposal to add AP African American Studies to the high‑school curriculum. Becky King Smith and educator Anaceli (presented in materials as Anaceli Barragan Gonzalez) described the course as interdisciplinary, grounded in an AP course framework, and organized around four units (origins of the African diaspora; freedom, enslavement and resistance; the practice of freedom; and movements and debates).
Presenters said the course uses authentic sources and emphasizes disciplinary skills—source analysis, argumentation and historical literacy—and that the AP assessment includes multiple choice, free response and a project that students develop over the year. The presenter described professional development supports, including an AP summer institute and an educator collaboration space for resource sharing.
CCAC members reported they had no abstentions and highly recommended the course move forward to the board for consideration. Board members asked questions about prerequisites, grade levels, access for students in different high schools (including IB students at Hill High), and teaching supports. Presenters said there are no prerequisites, recommended the course be offered to grades 10–12 given topic complexity, and noted that students from an IB school could hypothetically attend at another campus where the course is offered.
Representative quote: "This course is designed for students from all ethnic backgrounds who can benefit from the developments in every social, academic, artistic, and technological field," the presenter said.
What’s next: CCAC will forward recommendations and the board will consider a future vote after further review and any follow-up requested by board members.
