College/AP Calculus Course Approved by Board of Education

Huntington School Board members have given their consent to establish a new high school College/AP Calculus course through Siena College. It will replace a current Beacon course.

The district’s Subject Matter Council approved the new course on February 3 and the Educational Development Committee followed with its approval on February 5.

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Brenden Cusack discussed the new course with trustees during a recent public meeting.

Course Description: This course will cover the essential content of Siena College’s Calculus MAT 110 course and the College Board’s AP Calculus coursework, including topics such as functions, limits, continuity, differentiation, the chain rule, antiderivatives, the definite integral, fundamental theorem of calculus and trigonometric functions.

Rationale: Partnering with Siena College for this course provides students with the opportunity to earn 4 college credits at a cost of $300. Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch may obtain college credit free of charge. Additionally, Siena provides extensive training, resources, assessment materials and networking opportunities for teachers.

“Curriculum alignment is needed to update the coursework to align with Siena College and College Board,” Mr. Cusack told the trustees. Annual enrollment in the class is expected to total about 25 juniors and seniors. No additional teaching staff is needed. The course will be implemented next September.