Page 35 - 2025-2026 District Program of Studies Revised 3.24.25_Neat

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS OFFERINGS

Students select English courses according to their prior achievement and their educational goals. Four years
of English are required.

Students in all English Language Arts courses are expected to progress in their levels of independence and to
engage in all requirements as set forth by New Jersey State Learning Standards for reading literature, reading
informational texts, writing, speaking & listening, and language. They will be required to engage in close
readings and analysis of a variety of narrative and informational texts; they will use Writing Workshop to
develop and produce argument essays, expository essays, and narrative essays or stories; and they will
demonstrate the skills associated with speaking, listening, grammar, and vocabulary. Students will be
expected to engage in independent reading selections in addition to assigned readings for whole-class literary
study. Independent reading selections will be determined based on students’ interests, reading levels,
curricular themes, and personal choices.

Research Requirements - All English courses require a major assessment that develops an argument using
research. This assignment counts for 20% of the grade for the marking period in which it is assigned. To
receive credit for 11th and 12th grade Advanced Placement, Accelerated, or College Prep English courses, a
student must complete a research assignment that meets English Department standards as stipulated in the
written description of the assignment given by the teacher to the student. Students in 11th grade will not
advance to 12th-grade English, and students in 12th grade will not graduate if the research assignment
requirement is not met.

College Prep English courses fulfill the basic requirements for earning credits in English Language Arts.

Accelerated English courses require that students possess above-average language skills and reading and
writing abilities. Students will be expected to handle independent work and research in a mature, scholarly
manner.

English Honors and Advanced Placement courses are open to those who apply and are selected. These
students excel in achievement as they pursue a rigorous program in literature, composition, and research.

All required English courses, regardless of level, assign and assess summer reading*.

Elective courses in English are designed to offer an in-depth study of specialized areas for students who have
demonstrated an interest and competence. While elective courses do not replace required English
courses, some of them do satisfy criteria for the Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

Students with English credit deficiencies are not permitted to take two English courses in one year
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until 11 grade and cannot enroll in more than two English courses per school year.

Black Horse Pike Regional Program of Studies 35