Scituate’s first reading of Program of Studies expands dual-enrollment, adds AP business course

At a Jan. 5 meeting the Scituate School Committee received a first reading of the 2026–27 Program of Studies that expands dual-enrollment options and redesigns parts of the business curriculum.

Tammy Rundell presented changes that include dual-enrollment credit through Quincy College for honors chemistry, honors physics and honors anatomy & physiology; an honors-level investing in personal finance course approved for dual credit; and an AP business course that incorporates personal finance. "We updated the language for the competency determination," Rundell said, and described adjustments to course placements such as moving 'Adulting 101/Independent Living' into health education paired with a physical-education option.

Rundell also said the committee added a prerequisite for AP Environmental Science requiring concurrent enrollment in precalculus, responding to concerns that some students lacked the math background needed for the course. Committee members asked how dual-enrollment works in practice; Rundell explained that teachers submit syllabi to Quincy College for approval, students pay the college fee (processed through Quincy College, not the district) and credits appear on a Quincy College transcript.

Lisa Kirk (referenced by presenters as the district’s dual-enrollment coordinator) was identified as the central point for processing student dual-enrollment requests. Committee members requested future data showing how many students take dual-enrollment courses and how often those credits transfer to four-year universities.

Next steps: the program of studies will return for subsequent readings and final approval later in the process.