Equal Educational Opportunity Through the Program of Studies

The concept of equal educational opportunity was accepted by the Knox County Civil Rights Task Force December 3, 1990. At the high school level, the concept translates into a comprehensive curriculum offering (1) a wide range of academic and vocational subjects, (2) a wide span of scholastic levels, and (3) courses of study in all subject areas of the Knox County system-wide Program of Studies.

While all high schools can not be identical as to specific courses (there are approximately 300 course titles in the system-wide curriculum, twice the number needed in any one school), every high school is committed to offer courses in sufficient number and variety to provide students with opportunities to achieve four goals:

Goal 1. Satisfy graduation requirements.

Goal 2. Satisfy admission requirements of Tennessee public post-secondary educational institutions.

Goal 3. Satisfy job-entry requirements from among at least eight occupational areas.

Goal 4. Pursue personal educational goals up to the levels indicated below:

English Language Arts. Two units in Theatre and one each in Speech and Journalism; Honors and Advanced Placement levels in English.

Mathematics. Through Pre-calculus/Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry and an optional 5th unit.

Science. At least three units each in physical and life sciences.

Social Studies. Four units.

World Languages. A choice of three languages, at least one of which offers a third unit.

Fine Arts. One or more courses every term in choral and instrumental music and visual art.

Business Education. Four units of courses for personal rather than job-entry purposes.

Family and Consumer Sciences. Four units of courses for personal rather than job-entry purposes.

Vocational-Technical Education. Four units of one-credit courses for personal rather than job-entry purposes.

Driver Education. One unit.

Physical Education and Wellness. One unit of Lifetime Wellness and one unit of Physical Education.

Additional Course Offerings. In addition to the minimum curriculum listed above, schools may draw from the system-wide curriculum other courses for which there are sufficient student enrollment and adequate supportive resources (personnel, facilities, equipment and materials).