Hingham program review praises "small but mighty" business department, outlines AP, dual-enrollment and certification plans
Loading...
Summary
Mr. Coy presented the Hingham High School business department program review, highlighting strong project-based instruction and community partnerships, while flagging staff and resource constraints and proposing curriculum changes including AP Business, expanded dual-enrollment with Quincy College, and exploration of certifications like Microsoft.
Mr. Coy, presenting the Hingham High School business department program review, told the School Committee the district’s updated, action-oriented review protocol found a strong program with room to expand access and credentials. "We are very proud of our business department here at Hingham High School," he said, summarizing surveys, document review and visits to other districts.
The review noted strengths in alignment to relevant standards, project-based and technology-integrated instruction, and longstanding community partnerships with groups such as the Hingham Downtown Association and Derby Street Shops that provide authentic learning experiences. Mr. Coy said all eight courses have updated curricula and unit guides, and that students reported business classes improved their communication, collaboration and organizational skills.
At the same time, the review identified several limitations: the business program is currently offered only at Hingham High School (no K–12 vertical articulation), some courses are elective and therefore do not count toward students’ GPAs, staffing and fiscal resources are constrained, and the department has relied on grants. Mr. Coy noted survey findings and enrollment patterns: historically 14%–27% of the HHS student body has taken a business course in a given year, and only 38% of the class of 2024 had taken at least one business course.
The committee pressed Mr. Coy on career-oriented credentials and curriculum expansion. Ally Anderson asked whether vocational opportunities could include formal exams such as FINRA prep or certifications; Mr. Coy said the district currently offers no formal vocational exams but that Microsoft certification is among the more feasible options and is being explored. He also described an existing dual-enrollment partnership with Quincy College for two courses and said the College Board’s new AP Business with a personal finance emphasis has been approved in the program of studies and could be offered next year pending enrollment and staffing.
Mr. Coy outlined a three-part action plan: 1) curriculum review and exploration of vertical articulation (including possible middle- or elementary-level units), 2) increasing access so more students can take and benefit from business pathway and college-level coursework (including consideration of honors/CP credit), and 3) addressing resources by formalizing supports such as stipends or positions for DECA and articulating FY28 budget needs assuming grants are not available. He said the department would continue to monitor the possible statewide personal-finance graduation requirement and adjust plans accordingly.
The presentation concluded with committee members endorsing the review’s focus and recommending follow-up steps: examining certification options, exploring whether some courses should carry GPA credit, and keeping the policy and budget subcommittees informed as the action plan advances. "Our program is very strong, but would obviously welcome some further enhancements," Mr. Coy said.
