Board hears Program of Studies revisions including new AP business course, honors physics and nursing pathway changes

Bedford County Public Schools presented proposed revisions to the Program of Studies on Nov. 13 that would standardize course descriptions and add several courses intended to expand college and career options for students.

Dr. Prosper said most edits are minor wording changes for consistency; the board was informed of four initial course additions the division proposes to include: AP Business & Personal Finance, Agricultural Business Fundamentals, Honors Physics and a Patient Care Technician course that will be stacked with nurse aide offerings at Susie Gibson.

The presentation also noted credit adjustments: nurse aide 1 and 2 and cybersecurity fundamentals were reduced from three credits to one; staff explained how that affects course sequencing and plans to adapt scheduling. The district clarified dual-enrollment practices, emphasizing that dual-enrollment courses offered on Bedford campuses have the tuition covered by the division while off-campus dual-enrollment can still require student tuition. To make grade-point averages consistent across schools, staff recommended AP and core dual-enrollment classes receive a 5.0 weight; elective dual-enrollment would be weighted 4.5.

Administrators added deadlines for early-graduation requests and set exam-exemption criteria tied to CTE completer status and high-demand credentials. For Susie Gibson attendance, the Program of Studies gives principals authority to remove a student from the program in limited circumstances and replace them with a student better positioned to benefit from the opportunity.

Board members asked whether the AP Business & Personal Finance course would be available divisionwide; Dr. Prosper said the request originated at Jefferson Forest High School but any school could offer it depending on enrollment and teacher certification. The board did not take a final vote on these Program of Studies changes; staff will return in December with an action item.

Next steps: staff will present the Program of Studies for action at the December meeting and finalize any language tied to policy updates.