Course changes cause concerns at Sequoia Union High School District

The changes, most of which have been site specific with two made at a districtwide level, have been made over 10 years in an effort to create greater diversity in classrooms and improve student outcomes, according to a staff report.

“It has long been a goal of the California Department of Education and the Sequoia Union High School District to have more students obtain A-G credit and AP/IB credit, thereby demonstrating a great percentage of students’ readiness for the postsecondary experiences of college and career. It is also true that the district wanted to ensure students have access to and success in courses which could count towards high school graduation,” the staff report read. 

At the districtwide level, officials discontinued advanced integrated science for incoming ninth graders during the 2019-20 school year and enrolled all freshmen into Biology-P. During the 2020-21 school year, the district also discontinued its lowest track math offering that didn’t count toward university math credits, creating more diverse ninth grade algebra classes. 

Individual site changes include a merger of advanced and standard chemistry courses at Sequoia High School, replacing advanced physics with AP physics at Menlo-Atherton High School and merging advanced chemistry and standard chemistry at Carlmont High School. Sequoia, Menlo-Atherton and Woodside high schools also merged advanced English and standard English. 

A study of the course changes, which looked at grades, test scores, graduation credits and college and career prerequisites, found that while there appeared to be little to no effect on high-achieving populations, groups that have struggled in the past saw improvements including fewer course repeats and higher rates of students meeting college entrance requirements. 

But SUHSD Students First, an advocacy group made up of current and prospective students, parents, teachers and community members, argued the changes “imposes a ceiling on our students’ aspirations and achievements,” rather than advancing equity. 

The group also raised concerns about transparency, arguing the community was not adequately engaged on the issue before the changes were made, and shared concerns additional courses could be cut in the future. 

“The Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) has embarked on a concerning path which is undermining high quality public education in our community and is not aligned with its own mission,” the press release read. “We believe the elimination of these rigorous courses harms all students and it does not support educational equity.”

Superintendent Crystal Leach was not available to comment on the concerns Tuesday but district spokesperson Arthur Wilkie said the district encourages the public to attend the meeting to hear both sides of the discussion. 

The 121-page staff report does, however, assert advanced courses are not being removed. It also noted students applying for college admission will not have the rigor of their studies judged compared to other schools that offer advanced classes.

“It’s important to note that AP/IB opportunities are not being taken away. It’s a balance of providing the best opportunities for all students,” read the staff report. 

The Board of Trustees will meet in person in the Birch Conference Room at 480 James Ave. in Redwood City at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. The meeting will also be streamed on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/290069773 where remote participation will be permitted.