The Leander Independent School District is considering the addition of eight new courses. If eventually approved by the school board, the courses would become available to students beginning in August 2020.
According to the November 21, 2019 board agenda, the proposed courses include:
- AP Physics 1: Grades 10-12. A full-year course that is the equivalent of a first-semester introductory college course in algebra-based physics. AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics; dynamics; circular motion and gravitation; energy; momentum; simple harmonic motion; torque and rotational motion; electric charge and electric force; DC circuits; and mechanical waves and sound.
- Chamber Ensemble: Grades 10-12. The Chamber Ensemble course would serve as an alternative to Jazz Ensemble, which has limited instrumentation that prevents many students from participating. Students in Chamber Ensemble would be expected to perform frequently in classroom settings as well as more formal arenas and would have the opportunity to develop leadership skills as coaches for their student-led ensembles. Students would receive an elective credit.
- Cybersecurity Capstone: Grade 12. In the Cybersecurity Capstone course, students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to explore advanced concepts related to the ethics, laws, and operations of cybersecurity. Students will examine trends and operations of cyberattacks, threats, and vulnerabilities. Students will develop security policies to mitigate risks. The skills obtained in this course prepare students for additional study toward industry certification. A variety of courses are available to students interested in the cybersecurity field. Cybersecurity Capstone may serve as a culminating course in this field of study.
- Practicum in Law, Safety, Corrections, and Securities: Grade 12. The Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services. The practicum course is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills in law, public safety, corrections, and security. Practicum experiences can occur in a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experience.
- Practicum in Audio Visual Production: Grade 12. Careers in audio/video production span all aspects of the audio/video communications industry. Building upon the concepts taught in Audio/Video Production II and its corequisite Audio/Video Production II Lab, in addition to developing advanced technical knowledge and skills needed for success in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Career Cluster, students will be expected to develop an increasing understanding of the industry with a focus on applying pre-production, production, and post-production audio and video products in a professional environment. This course may be implemented in an advanced audio/video or audio format. Instruction may be delivered through lab-based classroom experiences or career preparation opportunities.
- Practicum in Graphic Design and Illustration: Grade 12. Careers in graphic design and illustration span all aspects of the advertising and visual communicationsn industry. Careers in fashion span all aspects of the textile and apparel industries and digital design. Within this context, in addition to developing technical knowledge and skills needed for success in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Career Cluster, students will be expected to develop a technical understanding of the industry with a focus on skill proficiency. Instruction may be delivered through lab-based classroom experiences or career preparation opportunities.
- Practicum in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Grade 12. The STEM Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services such as physical science, social science, engineering, including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services. Practicum in STEM is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills. Practicum experiences can occur in a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experience.
- Principles of Architecture: Grades 9-10. Principles of Architecture provides an overview of the various fields of architecture, interior design, and construction management. Achieving proficiency in decision making and problem-solving is an essential skill for career planning and lifelong learning. Students use self-knowledge, education, and career information to set and achieve realistic career and educational goals. Job specific training can be provided through training modules that identify career goals in trade and industry areas. Classroom studies include topics such as safety, work ethics, communication, information technology applications, systems, health, environment, leadership, teamwork, ethical and legal responsibility, employability, and career development and include skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and reading technical drawings.
The additional courses would not be made available to every campus immediately, according to LISD Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum Chrysta Carlin, who says student interest will drive much of that decision..
“Then we’ll determine where those actually may get the different campuses. So, if they have a low student interest, you may not get them on that campus, but we always make them avaiable at most of our campuses,” she said.
The board will vote on the proposed courses at its next meeting.
