Community Corner
Forensic Science, Music Appreciation, Part of Newly Approved High School Program of Studies
Changes reflect the requirement of a fourth year of math for students graduating in 2016 and the addition or deletion of selected pilot courses.
As a new year draws near, so does the deadline for students to choose their high school courses for next year. In preparation, the school board Tuesday night approved changes to the 2012-13 high school Program of Studies. Those changes reflect a new fourth year of math requirement for students starting high school next year, as well as some new course offerings.
The new Program of Studies will reflect the board's decision to continue, add or eliminate a handful of high school pilot classes.
Some, including Forensic Science and Music Appreciation, have been added to the permanent course offerings for Platt. Forensic Science exposes students to careers in the field and teaches topics ranging from fingerprinting and DNA analysis to comparative anatomy and physics. Music Appreciation is a UConn Early College Experience (ECE) class equivalent to UConn's MUSI 1001. ECE classes are taught by UConn adjunct professors and offer the chance to earn college credit.
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Other pilots, including AP Environmental Science and Intro to Band, are being extended for a year. Environmental Science is an academically rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) course, which also provides an opportunity to earn college credit. Intro to Band gives students an opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument to prepare them to join the school band.
A new AP English course will be added to the lineup for juniors and seniors at both schools: English Language and Composition. And a final course, UConn ECE Componenet to Music Theory, will no longer be offered due to lack of interest.