New classes on books for ’09-’10

Dennis Bivins, a teacher at Indian Land High School, is excited about the new classes that will soon come into the fold.

Starting in the 2009-10 school year, Indian Land High will offer courses in American sign language, human body systems and principles of biomedical technology.

The latter two courses will be part of ILHS’ Project Lead The Way (PLTW) initiative, which aims to offer students a rigorous educational experience in science and engineering.

District personnel expect the sign language course to qualify for foreign language credit. That designation will have to be made by the state Department of Education.

“I am really fired up about this opportunity and so are the students here at the school,” said Bivins, who will teach the sign language class. “The interest has been amazing so far.”

Other courses that are coming to high schools in Lancaster County School District next fall include:

– Advanced placement (AP) music theory (Andrew Jackson High)

– Computer networking 1,2 (Andrew Jackson High)

–  World geography pre-AP (Indian Land High)

– AP human geography (Lancaster High)

– Web page design and development 2 (Lancaster High)

– USCL distance education courses: Philosophy 111 and Political science 101 (all four high schools)

“Our goal has been to provide more challenging opportunities and increase AP offerings,” said Carolyn Jordan, executive director of instructional services for the school district.

“We look for courses that will help us have more career clusters and expand opportunities for careers.”

Contact reporter Jesef Williams at jwilliams@thelancasternews.com or at (803) 283-1152