Proposed Policy Change For Students wishing to enroll in an AP world language course within FCPS (for comment)
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Anonymous
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Purpose
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to fostering comprehensive language proficiency and cultural understanding among its students. Recognizing the complexities of world languages, this revised policy mandates that students complete a four-year foundational course sequence in a world language before enrolling in an Advanced Placement (AP) course in the same language. Policy Statement Students wishing to enroll in an AP world language course within FCPS must have successfully completed a four-year sequence (up to Level 4) in the same language. For example, a student must complete Spanish 4 to be eligible for AP Spanish. This policy is intended to ensure that students have a robust and comprehensive foundation in language and cultural studies before advancing to AP level coursework. Rationale Depth of Language Proficiency: The four-year foundational course sequence provides a more in-depth and comprehensive language learning experience, essential for the advanced understanding required in AP courses. Cultural and Linguistic Immersion: Extending the foundational learning period allows for deeper cultural immersion and a more nuanced understanding of the language, which is critical for success in AP courses. Academic Preparedness: This extended learning period ensures that students are thoroughly prepared academically for the rigors of AP coursework, thereby enhancing their potential for success. Aligning with Higher Educational Standards: The four-year sequence aligns more closely with college-level expectations, preparing students for advanced study and global opportunities. Implementation Four-Year Course Sequence Requirement: Completion of Level 4 in the chosen world language is a prerequisite for enrolling in the corresponding AP course. Curriculum Review and Alignment: The language curriculum will be reviewed and aligned to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive learning journey from Year 1 to Level 4. Guidance and Counseling: Academic counselors will guide students and parents on course selections and the implications of this policy for AP language course eligibility. Professional Development for Educators: Language teachers will receive ongoing training to effectively implement and support this extended learning sequence. Monitoring and Evaluation Student Performance Tracking: The progress of students throughout the four-year course sequence and in AP courses will be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy. Feedback and Adjustments: Continuous feedback will be sought from students, parents, and educators, with policy adjustments made as necessary to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. Conclusion By mandating a four-year foundational course sequence in world languages before AP enrollment, FCPS aims to elevate the standard of language education. This policy ensures that students are not only linguistically competent but also culturally informed, thus preparing them for success in AP courses and beyond in the global arena. Through this commitment, FCPS demonstrates its dedication to providing students with a thorough and well-rounded education in world languages. |
Anonymous
| Wasn't the 4th year an AP course before? What was the standard before? |
Anonymous
Students can take a 4th year or an AP after completing a 3rd yr course. |
Anonymous
| Wow, so only students who start a language in middle school are eligible for AP. Stinks for kids at middle schools that only offer one or two languages. Guess you can only do spanish. |
Anonymous
| Are kids who only complete 3 years really doing so horrible on the AP exam that the county feels the need to take this option away? |
Anonymous
It could be that the kids in level 4 relied heavily upon those kids that moved onto AP after level 3. Eliminating the ability grouping option helps close the gap. |
Anonymous
Some of those scores might be skewed by covid school. |
Anonymous
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Why not have a qualifying exam?
What about heritage language students, and students who learn language efficiently with immersion and Duolingo? |
Anonymous
A student who waits until high school to start learning a language is going to have a real bad time regardless. |
Anonymous
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What does this say about FCPS's teaching?
Why would anyone do four years of a language then if they didn't have to and couldn't get the additional grade bump? Already other school districts start language earlier in 6th or 7th grade. Now FCPS is saying no AP class allowed in language unless you are a native speaker? Who comes up with these decisions? How is it possible that a county with cultures from all over the world and immersion programs has this much trouble with AP exams in this subject area? |
Anonymous
The first opportunity to take a language is in 8th grade. How much different is 9th? |
Anonymous
| AP in a language was offered in FCPS high schools as year 4 of that language when language was first offered in 9th grade and not before. We had a full class at the senior level and people had the option to take the AP or not at the end of the year. I don't see why now FCPS can't teach to that level now. |
Anonymous
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Where is the text from OP? Can you post a link?
McLean already requires 4 years before an AP but I heard TJ does not. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like a scheme to try and weaken AP schools to make the bottom-feeder IB schools more attractive. #Equity |
Anonymous
Nah, the majority of students don't start until high school or only take 1A in middle school (or start over with a new language in high school). Middle schools often only offer Spanish or Spanish and French. High schools tend to have 4-5 languages. The kid who wants to take German or Latin or whatever now cannot ever take AP with this policy. That seems just unnecessarily restrictive. Plus it's going to make it harder to fill those sections at some schools, which will lead to them no longer being offered. |