Sonoma Valley High in hot water over plans to cut Honors English Sonoma Valley High in hot water over plans to cut Honors English

“There is a definite need for an honors class for kids who want a challenge but do not belong in the regular English class,” said one parent. “Leaving kids who are not quite ready for AP with no other option than regular English is irresponsible and the teachers are extremely frustrated.” “There is a definite need for an honors class for kids who want a challenge but do not belong in the regular English class,” said one parent.|

Nearly 200 parents have signed a letter of protest regarding Sonoma Valley High School's plan to eliminate Honors English courses at the 11th and 12th grade levels.

According to Karen Strong, associate director of curriculum for the school district, the fate of the 'honors' courses has been an ongoing topic of discussion for several years.

'A few years ago a similar conversation occurred in the history department when 'advanced placement,' or AP classes, were offered and it was decided that honors classes were no longer needed,' she said.

Sonoma Valley High will continue to offer Honors English for freshman and sophomores in 2018-2019.

SVHS parent Lisa Ziganti joined a dozen other parents and current and former students in voicing opposition to the planned change at a curriculum advisory board meeting held last week.

'For those students, like my son, that have full lives outside of school such as a working toward Eagle Scout designation in Boy Scouts, a part-time job and a member of the Nor Cal Cycling league, an AP class is too accelerated,' said Ziganti. She went on to explain that the regular English class is not of interest to him.

'He took (the regular English class) last year and was put off by the kids in class not wanting to learn, sleeping and (being) disruptive,' she said. 'Honors English fills this void and addresses this group of students (in the middle).'

Last week, SVHS students were asked to begin considering their courses for the next school year and several noticed that Honors English 3 and 4 were no longer an options for juniors and seniors.

SVHS Principal Kathleen Hawing outlined the rationale behind eliminating the courses, pointing out that AP English is open to juniors and seniors and, she added, that schools typically drop honors courses when AP classes are added.

According to Hawing, neither the Napa school district nor other Sonoma County public high schools offer all three levels – regular, or 'College Prep'; Honors; and AP – at the junior and senior levels.

Strong clarified that the decision to cut these sections of Honors English was not a budget issue.

'We believe this change will open accessibility to AP classes for more students and better meet the needs of all students,' she said. 'The benefit of the AP option over the Honors option in 11th and 12th grades is that it still provides access to challenging coursework with the added benefit of students being able to receive college credit through passage of the AP exam.'

She noted that despite its open enrollment policy, AP English has had low numbers for the past few years, with only two sections of around 20 students per grade. (Totaling 85 students out of 600 possible in those two grades).

Some parents disagree with this method to boost those numbers.

'If the objective behind this decision is to increase the enrollment of under-represented populations in AP English, and to raise the level of the high school's (regular English) classes, there are more effective and respectful ways to accomplish that,' reads the parent letter to the administration. 'Forcing students into a level they are not comfortable in is not the answer.'

SVHS 11th grader Ty Brenninger agrees.

'Honors English is crucial for those who are not ready to go into AP English but believe College Prep English is much too easy,' he said.

Brenninger said he plans to pursue a STEM career – the acronym is for science, technology, engineering and math – and said he would much rather spend his extra time on AP math or AP science classes.

'But if I was demoted to CP English, that would be too easy for me and look terrible for colleges,' said Brenninger.

Whether any other classes will be eliminated or added for 2018-2019 will be determined after students and parents complete the student course selection worksheets at both the high school and middle school levels. Hawing also clarified that the school will continue to offer its 14 current AP courses 'as long as they are fully enrolled.' The deadline for school administration to register course requests is Feb. 16.

'Student coursework requests guide course decisions along with SVUSD's desire to provide an excellent education and a responsibility to eliminate deficit spending,' said Strong. 'I know that change can be difficult and while every decision does impact the budget in some way, our primary goal remains to continue to build world-class educational programs in the Sonoma Valley that benefit all students.'

The parent letter addresses frustration that English teachers, parents and students were not part of the decision-making process.

According to several sources, the two English department co-chairs at SVHS were not consulted.

'Administrators are telling students and parents that 'this is a done deal,' which is discouraging to everyone who would like to take a step back and thoughtfully consider what is best for all of our students,' continued the letter. 'No research has been provided on how this would affect the educational experience of the students currently in the CP, Honors, or AP sections. No evidence has been presented that this decision will lead to better academic outcomes for any group of students.'

Hawing has called a meeting with parents of current and future students on Tuesday to address the decision to cut the courses.

'The public needs to know because the repercussions of this decision go beyond this year's students,' Ziganti said.

Contact Lorna at ourschools@sonomanews.com.

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