MCPS technology requirement

[Anonymous]

I have an artsy kid. What is the absolute easiest way to fulfill the technology requirement? Summer online? (6 weeks, it seems.) I am tempted to encourage that route to free up more schedule space for other things. Advice, btdt parents?

[Anonymous]

AP Computer Science Principles is an easy first AP class and gives you the tech credit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP Computer Science Principles is an easy first AP class and gives you the tech credit.

OP here. Thanks for the good idea. But that takes up the whole academic year, right? It's not just one semester? (As you can tell, we are in box-checking mode, not curiosity mode.)

[Anonymous]

Not the PP, but unless your kid is doing the VAC and applying only to BFA programs, the suggestion of doing AP Comp Sci Principles is really your best bet. It's easy, it's weighted, and it fulfills the tech requirement.

I have an artsy kid, and they want to spend their summer at sleepaway camp for their art, not grinding away at an online class that's not even weighted.

[Anonymous]

Summer for it and health ed, or if your middle school offers it, take it in middle school.

[Anonymous]

I have an artsy kid too. The tech credit was not an issue. There are many classes you can take during the school year that he will do well in.

[Anonymous]

The tech requirement is whole year not a semester. Consider Foundations of Computer Science instead of the AP. My artsy kid took it sophomore year and was fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Computer Science Principles is an easy first AP class and gives you the tech credit.

OP here. Thanks for the good idea. But that takes up the whole academic year, right? It's not just one semester? (As you can tell, we are in box-checking mode, not curiosity mode.)

You need the whole year to get the tech credit graduation requirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an artsy kid too. The tech credit was not an issue. There are many classes you can take during the school year that he will do well in.

Some kids like to do it in the summer so they can get more art classes in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Computer Science Principles is an easy first AP class and gives you the tech credit.

OP here. Thanks for the good idea. But that takes up the whole academic year, right? It's not just one semester? (As you can tell, we are in box-checking mode, not curiosity mode.)

Just take what ever they offer in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Mine was lucky to be able to do it in middle school. Every scheduling in choice is made to prioritize adding more art classes. If middle school is not an option look into online summer or doing school year via OPTG. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Computer Science Principles is an easy first AP class and gives you the tech credit.

OP here. Thanks for the good idea. But that takes up the whole academic year, right? It's not just one semester? (As you can tell, we are in box-checking mode, not curiosity mode.)

Just take what ever they offer in the summer.

Agreed. My child took Foundations of Engineering & Technology A & B. She did A one summer and B the following summer. If your kid has the time to do it in person over the summer, it's really fun, like a camp. It was all hands-on projects and no homework.

It's also offered virtually, and you can ask around to find out what that's like.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone! This gives me a good idea of the landscape.

- OP

[Anonymous]

Your kid can check that box by doing Tech in 8th grade if they still offer Foundations of Tech (or some title like that) but that could mean no time for a world language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Computer Science Principles is an easy first AP class and gives you the tech credit.

OP here. Thanks for the good idea. But that takes up the whole academic year, right? It's not just one semester? (As you can tell, we are in box-checking mode, not curiosity mode.)

Just take what ever they offer in the summer.

+1
Absolute easiest is FOCS in summer.