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Board approves AP Cybersecurity textbook and course pilot for 2026–27
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Summary
Board approved the adoption of Computer Security: Principles and Practice (William Stallings) as the AP Cybersecurity textbook and discussed digital‑first licensing and project‑based curriculum; staff said subscription/eText options reduce long‑term replacement costs.
The Mercer Island School District board voted to adopt the textbook recommended for a new AP Cybersecurity course and heard a teacher explain course design, certification pathways and expected classroom use.
A staff member introduced the proposed course and the recommended text, saying the book “is really made for an educational setting” with hands‑on projects and teacher resources. The presenter described the course as a year‑long AP offering that aligns with college frameworks, includes projects and supports certification opportunities for students.
Board members asked about licensing and shelf‑life for cybersecurity materials. Staff said the district expects to purchase primarily digital subscriptions and a limited number of hard copies; the presenter noted the publisher’s price around $85 retail, with district pricing likely lower and eText subscription options that allow streamlined updates as the field changes.
A motion to approve the text as the AP Cybersecurity course material was made and seconded; the transcript records the motion as passed (vote phrased in the record as '2 0 4'). Staff will follow up with purchase and implementation steps and return with a plan for digital access and teacher resources.
The course is intended to be open to a wide range of students (including incoming ninth graders), with no strict prerequisites, though staff noted social dynamics can affect class experience when freshmen and seniors are mixed.
