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Teacher urges board to delay approval of new honors/AP criteria; board approves catalog except AP entrance pages
Summary
After a teacher warned proposed point‑based changes would restrict multilingual students' access to honors and AP courses and eliminate teacher recommendations, the board approved the 2026–27 course catalog but voted to hold pages 4–9 (AP/honors entrance criteria) for further review.
At public comment, Trenton Central High teacher Kathy Mulcahy urged the board to withhold approval of changes to the high‑school course catalog that alter honors and AP entrance criteria. Mulcahy warned the revised point system relies heavily on standardized measures and effectively sidelines teacher recommendations.
"This point system, rather than expanding academic growth and opportunity, appears to be designed to restrict," Mulcahy said. She said the new catalog increases the points required for honors and AP coursework and reduces the weight of teacher voice. "One of the most troubling aspects of the new markers of eligibility is the elimination of teacher recommendations as a singular vital data point for student enrollment in the courses," she told the board, and urged that teachers and other stakeholders be included before finalizing criteria.
During board discussion, members acknowledged the need to ensure students placed into honors and AP classes can succeed and agreed to seek further consultation with high‑school staff. A member moved to approve the course catalog but hold or exclude pages 4–9 (the section with AP/honors entrance criteria) so the administration and high‑school stakeholders can revisit the criteria. The motion was seconded, called for roll call, and passed with one abstention recorded.
Board President noted the catalog is amended regularly and asked staff to meet with the teacher and the high‑school team and return recommended language before the start of school so operational procedures are set for September.
The board approved the remaining items on the consent agenda and directed staff to work with teachers and administrators on revisions to the AP/honors entrance criteria before final operationalization.
