The Lexington High School Senate recently passed a bill recommending that Lexington Public Schools formally endorse the creation of a Women’s AP United States History (WAPUSH) course. The course, if approved by the College Board, would offer the first comprehensive curriculum dedicated to women’s perspectives and contributions throughout American history. With the bill’s passage, the Senate is formally requesting that LPS Superintendent Dr. Julie Hackett sign a letter endorsing the course. 

WAPUSH is a nationwide initiative founded by history teachers Serene Williams and Kristen Kelly. The project includes a fully developed course proposal and is currently campaigning to gather 100 letters of endorsement from universities and 250 letters from high schools, which the College Board requires to pilot the new AP course. 

“There are many schools across the country looking into the WAPUSH class and endorsing it, and our bill is recommending that our high school become one of those signatures,” Paul Zheng, head of the Senate Policy Committee, explained. 

The idea for LPS to endorse WAPUSH came from Policy Committee member Kevin Chen, who saw the opportunity to support a course that addresses gaps in the traditional AP U.S. History curriculum. 

“After looking into it, I realized that the WAPUSH course is an incredible initiative. I deeply believe in their initiative to address the lack of in-depth perspectives on women and their impact on American history.” Chen said. “In AP U.S. History, women are often just portrayed as one piece of a larger puzzle, rather than something explored on its own.”

Chen also emphasized that the WAPUSH proposal is realistic and achievable. 

“The College Board has stated they are open to implementing this course and the people behind the project are incredible. They know what they’re doing,” Chen said. 

After Chen brought the idea to endorse WAPUSH forward, the Senate Policy Committee began drafting the bill.

“The bill went through editing rounds in our committee meetings, and was reviewed by many people. Then, we proposed it to the Senate as a whole, where it was voted on and passed by the majority,” Zheng explained. 

With the bill now officially passed, a recommendation was sent out to Superintendent Hackett asking for her to write a letter of endorsement for WAPUSH. If she does so, LPS will become the first school district in all of Massachusetts to officially support the WAPUSH initiative, marking a milestone for both student advocacy and the advancement of history education.