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Dearborn Heights teachers propose new electives: Pop Culture, Michigan history and AP U.S. History
Summary
High-school social studies teachers presented three proposed electives — a Pop Culture semester course, a Michigan history and geography elective, and an AP U.S. History offering — citing student survey data and existing departmental resources; teachers said the courses would be elective additions with minimal added cost.
Teachers from the high school social studies department presented three proposed elective courses to the Dearborn Heights School District #7 Board on Feb. 5, 2025, saying the classes respond to student interest and would expand elective options without displacing required coursework.
Mr. Robinson, who described the Pop Culture proposal, said the one-semester, one-credit course would use media, music, sports and fashion to examine how popular culture shapes identity and social norms. "It really kind of pulls all of those together," Robinson said, adding the course would include historical context so students could trace how cultural trends reflected larger social changes. He told the board there would be no additional cost to the district for the offering.
A second presenter outlined a Michigan history and geography elective intended for grades 9–12. The presenter said the course would rely on primary-source materials and classroom-shared resources rather than a textbook, be offered at least once a year to start, and would not replace core graduation requirements.
Noah Cubitz proposed adding AP U.S. History for 10th–12th graders and described teacher training and material needs. Cubitz noted that teachers typically attend a College Board AP Summer Institute (historically about $1,000) to prepare; he also listed common textbook choices used by AP programs and said the College Board provides substantial curricular materials. Cubitz said the school’s survey of roughly 179 students showed the highest interest for Michigan history and strong interest in the other electives.
Board members asked about curriculum sources, religiosity and political content, and grade-level placement. Robinson and Cubitz said the electives would avoid religion and partisan politics and that AP U.S. History was best suited to 10th–12th graders given literacy expectations.
The public commenter who spoke later, Rachel (a parent), praised the proposed electives and asked the department to include very local history examples, such as local historic houses and the Little Red Schoolhouse, as part of Michigan history instruction.
If approved in coming steps, the courses would be scheduled based on student demand and departmental capacity, with the district noting no immediate additional funding needs for the Pop Culture and Michigan history electives and identified teacher-training costs for AP preparation.
