Board adopts AP Psychology textbook and adds parent-notification steps for curriculum pilots

The Rocklin Unified Board approved an updated textbook adoption for Advanced Placement Psychology and simultaneously approved revisions to district policy that increase transparency around curriculum pilots.

Associate Superintendent Marty Flowers said the district completed a pilot and public-review process and is recommending the Myers AP Psychology textbook for adoption. Flowers outlined the required 30-day public review and said the district will make materials available online and at school showcase events. "This started in 2024 when the College Board announced a revised version of the course and the exam...we evaluate the material" he said.

Trustees raised concerns about "sensitive topics" in a college-level AP course and pressed staff to ensure parents have clear access to course content during course selection. One trustee proposed an annotation or an asterisk on course-selection materials to indicate AP courses are college level; staff agreed to add explanatory language to the academic planning guide and to make course overviews available at showcase nights and on request.

In separate but related action the board approved revisions to board policy 6.161.1 to require that the board and parents be informed before a pilot begins and to define a maximum pilot length of nine weeks. Flowers said the changes formalize existing practice and improve clarity for families.

The board approved the AP textbook adoption and the policy revisions by roll-call vote. Trustees asked staff to post clear directions on how parents can review materials in full (hard copies available by appointment per district practice) and to add a brief notation about AP-level courses on course-selection documents.

The district will proceed with purchasing materials, providing teacher professional development, and incorporating AP Psychology into academic planning guides and parent-facing materials.