Curriculum Committee Minutes : (5/9/07)

Curriculum Committee Minutes : (5/9/07)

For the 2008-2009 school year
Enrollment for AP sciences vary greatly from year to year
Some years the numbers are very low and either the class is not offered or it is offered to 6 people.
Combining honors and AP would increase enrollment in the class
Students could take the class Jr. year freeing up their Sr. year for other honors, AP or elective courses
AP program recommends a minimum of 90 minutes a day for a year for AP classes without a corresponding introductory class
Would need to combine either 3^rd block and TA or 4^th block and TA for this class in order to meet the minimum requirement
Students could take only the first semester of the class for Honors credit (1.25 credits) or year-long for AP credit (2.5 credits)
Students leaving with Honors credit would not receive the AP designation and would still go through the semester in a class with AP rigor
Would allow students to take SAT II science subject tests

Currently, due to the schedule students have 1/3^rd less time and therefore 1/3^rd less material covered than their peers at other schools
The current schedule does not allow them to pass SAT II science subject tests without a great deal of independent study

o All members present approve of the proposal

Semester class for the 2008-2009 school year
There used to be a marine biology course, but it was terminated when a teacher retired
The Graduation Requirements Committee is planning on increasing requirements to graduate necessitating an increase in the number of elective classes
Also trying to reach students who like science but don’t want to take math intensive classes
Would include local field trips to different bodies of water

Would include field trip to Costa Rica with two other classes that currently go in the spring
All members present approve of the proposal with some concern over the cost associated with field trips requiring transportation.