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District reviews new courses including AP Research, dual-enrollment government and FCS II
Summary
Administrators presented four course proposals: second-level Family & Consumer Sciences, a Penn College dual-enrollment American government course, AP Research (follow-up to AP Seminar) and catalog terminology changes; the board asked about AP certification, enrollment thresholds, textbooks and budget impacts and asked staff to supply clarifying documents.
Administrators David Vittner and Aaron Lucas presented four proposed additions or updates to the high-school course catalog on Feb. 9. The proposals include a second-year Family & Consumer Sciences course (FCS II) to follow the existing FCS I, a Penn College dual-enrollment American government course that would offer Penn College credit, an AP Research course to complete the AP Seminar/Research pathway, and several catalog name changes (for example, renaming some "college prep" courses to "honors" and consolidating keyboard courses).
Vittner said the AP Research course culminates in an academic paper and an oral defense; the district currently has AP Seminar and ten students enrolled. Board members asked for clarification on the definition of an "expert advisor" for AP Research panels, on the textbook choices for the Penn College course (the proposal listed 25 copies plus a free open-access version), and on staffing implications for FCS II (administrators said the present FCS instructor lacks capacity and that adding FCS II would require a reallocation of positions or schedule changes). Budget impacts were cited: $1,000 for AP Research books and supplies and $10,000 duplicating the FCS level-1 supply budget for a second level.
Administrators agreed to provide a more detailed spreadsheet of league averages and the missing course-document pages, an expert-advisor definition for AP Research consistent with the College Board, and a clarification on Penn College textbook requirements.
Quotes from the meeting: "It ultimately culminates in an academic paper and a presentation with an oral defense," an administrator said about AP Research.
Next steps: staff to supply clarifications and updated documents; the board will consider the proposals in future meetings after review and potential revision of budget impacts.
