During the Nov. 4 Bethlehem Area School Board meeting, Dr. Jack Silva, superintendent of curriculum, along with Kim Harper, of Freedom HS and Beth Guarriello, of Liberty HS, presented a draft of proposed curriculum changes and new course offerings for the 2014-15 school year.

With the new program of study under consideration, new courses offered would fall under one of four pathways designed to help high school students pursue a college major or career. A student interested in a medical career can take science classes that have medical studies focus after satisfying the state requirements to graduate. The community service requirement can also be satisfied through these special pathways.

Community service for student's pathways provides opportunities to match their interest. A student wishing to become a doctor can volunteer in a hospital and gain hands on experience as to what their chosen profession is really like. This gives students the opportunity to decide if they really like it or if the career is not for them. Students may discover that while they want to be a doctor, they cannot stand the sight of blood, said Guariello.

The new program would help students determine which course and path to take and the level for their various academic goals. Everyone must have four years of math and science and three years of a foreign language. The pathways are modeled for four-year and two-year degree programs, as well as Vo-Tech degrees and certificates, Harper said.

The four pathways include health and social services; science, technology, engineering and math; arts, humanities and communications; and business, finance and law.

Under the new curriculum, students would have to fulfill the 26-credit requirement to graduate before being able to design their own program tailored to their career choice or interests.

Silva said the new program would give BASD students a more competitive edge when applying for college.

"By the time they reach their credits they have done work in their pathways," he said. "For the majority of students out there not having a pathway system does put them at a disadvantage with other students out there."

Michele Cann, school board vice president, questioned Silva on how the program would work and how the students would know these services and courses exist.

Harper replied guidance counselors will meet with the students in small groups and individually to help them pick.

"I think it is like a dream come true. (The program is) like all the charter schools out there. You don't have to go anywhere we have it here," said director Aurea Ortiz.

The changes to the curriculum will be voted on at the Nov. 18 school board meeting.