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OKCPS to propose African American studies course; board to vote on updated course catalog next month
Summary
Chief of Schools Alicia Suffield presented proposed additions to the 2026–27 middle and high school course catalog, including an African American studies course submitted by an AP teacher; the catalog will return for final approval next month and local schools will decide on staffing and course offerings once approved.
Alicia Suffield, OKCPS chief of schools, asked the board to review proposed additions and revisions to the 2026–27 middle and high school course catalog. She said courses are submitted annually by building principals and teachers and that this presentation is an early step; the full catalog will return next month for final approval.
Board members welcomed the addition of an African American studies course. One member said she was pleased to see the listing and asked whether the course would have prerequisites and who would teach it. Suffield said the course was likely submitted by an AP teacher and that, if the board approves the catalog, individual high schools will decide whether to add the course to their offerings and which teacher will be staffed to teach it.
A board member asked whether the district's shift to student-outcome focused governance changes how course proposals are evaluated; Suffield said all decisions across departments are guided by the district's goals and guardrails and that proposals not fitting those criteria are unlikely to move forward.
The board will consider a final vote on the updated course catalog at its next meeting.
