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Board debates new middle-school science materials, AP scheduling and virtual options
Summary
The curriculum committee reviewed middle-school science resource options and assessment trends; the board also discussed AP-course rotations, low-enrollment AP classes and virtual/dual-enrollment alternatives that affect scheduling and student credit.
The curriculum committee summarized a July 20 meeting that reviewed five-year PSSA/Keystone assessment trends and discussed middle-school science resources, including whether to buy print textbooks or pair print with a one-year online subscription for digital worksheets and labs.
Administrators noted alignment concerns: some newer publisher editions do not match the district's curriculum, so reviewers chose materials closely aligned to local standards. Board members asked whether Renova would receive the same materials as Central Mountain Middle School; administrators said they would confirm availability and report back.
The board also discussed Advanced Placement (AP) course scheduling. Administrators described tensions between low-enrollment AP courses (three to four students) and the growing popularity of dual-enrollment and virtual options that can give students college credit. "For some of these courses that have only 3 or 4 students in that are AP courses, are you as a board willing to say, okay, we'll run those courses with 3 or 4 students?" the superintendent asked, framing the tradeoff between program breadth and budget/staffing constraints.
Members suggested remedies including combining classes, offering independent-study plans, using the district's virtual academy to fill gaps, or steering students to dual-enrollment when appropriate. Administrators said the virtual academy and Keystone cyber options can supply AP alternatives, though availability and potential student fees vary.
Why it matters: decisions on textbook adoption and AP scheduling affect instructional alignment, teacher prep time, student opportunities for college credit, and district staffing and budgeting. Administrators said they will confirm campus allocations, provide teacher-ready materials, and bring details to the voting session.
