Proposal for Honors English at the Junior and Senior levels at YHS

There are currently no Honors English courses offered at the junior and senior levels at York High School. The result is that students in their junior and senior years either have to take regular English or a college credit-bearing course (AP/Dual College Credit). Based on community input, two groups of students have been identified that are disadvantaged from this missing link or "curriculum hole" in the English curriculum sequencing.

First, students who have not taken Honors English at the freshman and sophomore levels are denied the opportunity for a Honors English class in their junior and senior years and if in need of a more advanced English course only have the option of a college-bearing English course without adequate preparation.

Second, students who take freshman and sophomore Honors English, but would like to focus their efforts in other areas (ex. STEM or Social Sciences) and achieve a workload balance with academics and participation in sports and/or clubs, are left with the option of either stepping down from an honors curriculum in English or taking a college-bearing credit English course.

Both of these types of students should have the opportunity to take Honors English their junior and senior years. Based on a survey of curriculum of nearby high schools as well as the competitive Chicago Public Schools, these classes are regularly offered.

This proposal has no revenue or resource impact on the District or YHS.