Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ap Courses topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents, teachers urge Palmdale Aerospace Academy board to preserve AP, honors and specialized science classes
Summary
At the May 26 meeting, students, parents and teachers urged the Palmdale Aerospace Academy board to reverse proposed cuts to AP and honors courses and to preserve anatomy, earth science and co‑taught services; administrators said the change to a 9th‑grade biology pathway is intended to increase equitable access and will be implemented with a transition year.
Parents, teachers and a graduating senior urged the Palmdale Aerospace Academy board on May 26 to protect Advanced Placement, honors and several specialized science courses that administrators had proposed changing for the 2026–27 school year.
"Without AP Computer Science Principles, I would never have discovered the field that I'm majoring in now," said senior Jesse Harano, who told the board he will attend Princeton University in the fall and credited AP courses with enabling his admission. Harano asked the board to make “a real commitment to protecting AP classes” so future students can plan multi‑year course sequences with confidence.
Several parents and teachers echoed Harano’s plea and described abrupt, poorly communicated scheduling and curricular changes. "Parents were unaware. Students were unaware," said Leah Taylor, a speech pathologist and parent. She told the board that decisions of this magnitude require teacher, parent and student input and said some staff reported retaliation for speaking up.
Teachers and special education staff also pressed the board about proposed reductions to co‑taught supports. "We're losing all of those co‑taught classes in 12th grade," a speaker noted, urging the board to publish the data justifying such cuts and to account for required service minutes for students with IEPs.
Administrators described a planned change to the science sequence designed, they said, to expand access: under the proposal incoming 9th graders would take biology, 10th graders chemistry, and 11th–12th graders would be opened to electives and AP options. "Every ninth grader will start their life in biology and then 10th grade they go to chemistry," said a presenter from the administration, framing the change as aligned with neighboring districts and the intent to ensure UC/Cal State lab‑science requirements are met earlier, enabling students to choose advanced electives sooner.
That proposal prompted an extended exchange. Science teachers argued Earth science provides critical, tangible connections to NGSS standards and state testing and warned removing it from 9th grade could harm students’ preparation for the California science assessment. Amanda Goth, science department lead, said the science team was not consulted on the sequencing change and warned that mandating chemistry too early risks narrowing student choice.
Board members asked administrators for practical follow‑ups. Several trustees said they supported maintaining anatomy and core electives for next year; administrators confirmed anatomy and several AP courses would be offered and agreed to provide a single, comprehensive list of AP and elective courses at the next meeting. A board member urged that the district avoid pursuing “equity by lowering the ceiling” and instead provide supports so more students can succeed in higher‑level coursework.
The meeting record shows the board did not take a formal vote on the science pathway at this session. Before adjourning, the board requested a transition plan, enrollment thresholds used for offering AP sections, and a clear list of which AP courses will be guaranteed next year.
What happens next: the administration will return with a full AP/electives report and a transition timeline for the proposed pathway; staff asked for clarity on student supports (intervention, tutoring and counseling) to ensure students who struggle in required courses can access alternatives or extra help.
