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School board approves 2026–27 course offerings after debate over eighth-grade CTE credit
Summary
Rockingham County Public Schools approved its 2026–27 high-school course offerings 4–0 after public comment and board discussion about whether Family and Consumer Sciences (FCCLA) should be eligible for eighth-grade high-school credit; administrators said "farm to plate" currently counts as an agricultural high-school credit and curriculum alignment would be required to add FCS credit.
The Rockingham County Public Schools board voted unanimously to approve the district's 2026–27 high-school course offerings after a public comment and board discussion about credit opportunities for middle-school career and technical education (CTE).
Nicholas Zimmerman, a family and consumer sciences teacher and FCCLA advisor at Elkton Middle School, urged the board to reconsider a proposed program change that would leave Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS/FCCLA) without an option to earn high-school credit in eighth grade. "All CTE areas should have the opportunity for a high school level class in the eighth grade or no CTE classes should provide an opportunity for students to receive high school level credit in the eighth grade," Zimmerman said during public comment.
Dr. Emily Holloway presented the program of studies and recommended approval of the course offerings as presented. Administrators clarified that the district already offers an eighth-grade course called “farm to plate” that is coded as an agricultural high-school credit, rather than an FCS credit, and that adding FCS-specific high-school credit would require alignment work and teacher input. "To do that, we're gonna have to work on some curriculum alignment ... we would want to have some conversations and insight and buy in from the FCS teachers," an administrator said.
Board members discussed potential consequences of increasing middle-school high-school credit, including the district's credit and graduation framework: a standard diploma requires 22 credits and students typically have more than enough opportunities in high school to earn required credits, one board member said. Officials also noted that expanding high-school credit in middle school can result in students completing graduation requirements early.
The board approved the program of studies by voice vote. The motion passed 4–0. Administrators and board members said they would continue conversations about whether and how to align FCS coursework so that it could yield high-school credit in a future year; the curriculum alignment and scheduling work would need to happen before the scheduling season in January.
The board handled the item as an action tonight and approved the full program as presented.
