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Board reviews instructional pilots: Nucleus young-business leaders, AP precalculus and AP English 10; consensus to advance to June
Summary
District staff reviewed three instructional pilots (Nucleus for young business leaders, AP precalculus and AP English 10/AP Seminar), shared early usage and survey results, discussed costs and alignment to state standards, and the board agreed by consensus to bring final recommendations to the June meeting.
District instructional leaders presented summaries and initial data from three curriculum pilots and asked the board to move the recommendations to the June board meeting for final approval.
Dr. Briggs (speaker 8) opened by noting positive early feedback on an elementary CKLA pilot but said negotiations with the vendor (Amplify) on a multi‑year pricing structure remain open; staff will return with a comprehensive recommendation that includes instructional results and long‑term financial implications. Lisa McKinnon (speaker 10), supervisor of secondary math and lead for the Young Business Leaders/Nucleus pilot, reported that roughly 100 students used the Nucleus platform (66 survey responses) and that 70–79% of responding students said they felt prepared for a high school business course. McKinnon presented a six‑year pricing example (first year roughly $5,000; six‑year total about $21,000) and described classroom use that combined teacher‑led discussion, videos and activities rather than only independent digital work.
McKinnon also reported on an AP precalculus pilot offered at James and Bennett high schools and Wicomico High (47 enrolled; 41 signed up to take the AP exam). Staff proposed expanding the AP precalculus offering to additional schools next year to increase access and better align with evolving state secondary math pathways.
Lisa King (speaker 12) described the AP English 10 (AP Seminar) pilot, including teacher training (College Board/AP Institute), crosswalks to Maryland standards, and student outcome data: 42 students completed the pilot, and staff reported positive MCAP and MAP signals and strong teacher support (100% of responding teachers recommended the course). King said College Board had helped offset teacher training costs and that the district covers AP exam fees; she recommended moving the pilot to the June meeting for final action.
Board members asked about in‑class pedagogy versus digital-only instruction and entry criteria for the signature program; staff explained teachers guide discussions and that students admitted to the middle‑school signature program meet GPA and placement criteria. The board indicated consensus to advance the pilots to the June board meeting for formal adoption votes.
