How many freshman take AP Gov or History?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach AP Social Studies courses, including AP Govt. Several years ago, the Collegeboard put out a statement that they do not recommend that 9th grade students take AP courses. However, I hate to admit this, but when my kid goes to HS next year I will insist that he enroll in and many APs offered at each grade level, which including 9th. He is a smart but not overly diligent student and I think it’s good to be in the advanced courses whenever possible. Better cohort, better teachers, GPA boost, better curriculum, etc.

Same GPA boost for honors but some
Colleges may recalculate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach AP Social Studies courses, including AP Govt. Several years ago, the Collegeboard put out a statement that they do not recommend that 9th grade students take AP courses. However, I hate to admit this, but when my kid goes to HS next year I will insist that he enroll in and many APs offered at each grade level, which including 9th. He is a smart but not overly diligent student and I think it’s good to be in the advanced courses whenever possible. Better cohort, better teachers, GPA boost, better curriculum, etc.

That was many years ago, before College Board remembered that they like money, and started inventing lots of new APs for 9th
grade and non-university-level courses.

https://blog.collegeboard.org/popular-ap-courses-grade

What's your plan if your non-overly-diligent student can't keep up with the curriculum and gets a B or C in the AP class instead of an A in honors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The common app, which is what almost all universities use, will allow you to self report AP scores and you can report all, none, or your own self-selected set. If you don't report, then they won't know whether you took it or not.

There's a lot of discussion in the college board about what scores people should report. Suffice it to say, you probably won't self-report below 3. Beyond that, there's a lot of nuance it's not worth going into.

Once enrolled, you can send the official score report to the school you are attending (for credit/placement purposes) but you don't need to send that to all schools you apply to.

College admissions offices see that your kid took an AP class. They also see if they don't report an AP score for that class. Colleges admission offices actually see a lot and aren't stupid; they may be "test blind" but they're not blind.

False. From what I saw this last admissions cycle, there were many kids that went fully test optional and got into very selective schools. Annoying to see kids with awful SAT + AP scores and similar grades etc, that got into "better" schools that the kids that studied hard for the tests and did well. This is unfortunately the state of test-optional admissions.

I bet you they were all full pay students

Maybe, maybe not, but yes it's true that comparing college admissions is meaningless without also comparing price offers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The passing rates are declining. It was 68% overall with a “passing” and they NEVER differentiate 3-5.

Most colleges won’t accept a 3

Also there were 9 schools that didn’t hit 50%

Stop spreading misinformation. The passing rate for MCPS has been going up and it was over 70% between 2019-2021.
Only 4 schools didn't hit 50%.

Umm not the PP but I just did a quick google search and you are wrong and they are right.

https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-advanced-placement-ap-tests-scores-by-school-2019-2021-data-analysis/

Disingenuous.

Pass rate went up from 71% in 2019 to 75% 2020, then down to 68% in 2021. Does anyone remember anything unusual happening in 2020-2021? Hmmm?

Also, pass rate is very highly correlated to # of tests per school. This strongly suggests that schools with few tests are having trouble filling full classes, and probably putting in kids who have low AP intent, to balance class sizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach AP Social Studies courses, including AP Govt. Several years ago, the Collegeboard put out a statement that they do not recommend that 9th grade students take AP courses. However, I hate to admit this, but when my kid goes to HS next year I will insist that he enroll in and many APs offered at each grade level, which including 9th. He is a smart but not overly diligent student and I think it’s good to be in the advanced courses whenever possible. Better cohort, better teachers, GPA boost, better curriculum, etc.

That was many years ago, before College Board remembered that they like money, and started inventing lots of new APs for 9th
grade and non-university-level courses.

https://blog.collegeboard.org/popular-ap-courses-grade

What's your plan if your non-overly-diligent student can't keep up with the curriculum and gets a B or C in the AP class instead of an A in honors?

My neighbors hired a tutors for their 9th grader who couldn’t keep up in APUSH and honors Alg 2. Odd to me the parents that push their kids into advanced classes they can’t handle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The passing rates are declining. It was 68% overall with a “passing” and they NEVER differentiate 3-5.

Most colleges won’t accept a 3

Also there were 9 schools that didn’t hit 50%

Stop spreading misinformation. The passing rate for MCPS has been going up and it was over 70% between 2019-2021.
Only 4 schools didn't hit 50%.

Umm not the PP but I just did a quick google search and you are wrong and they are right.

https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-advanced-placement-ap-tests-scores-by-school-2019-2021-data-analysis/

Thanks for sharing this. I wish we had the pass rate for each AP course/exam at each school. That would help inform the specific APs I would encourage my kid to take.

We do have that. See table C3 here:

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/reports/2023/230209_2022_AP_IB_Exams_HS%20Principals.pdf

but it doesn't break down 3, 4, and 5's. I think that is very important since various colleges only take certain numbers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach AP Social Studies courses, including AP Govt. Several years ago, the Collegeboard put out a statement that they do not recommend that 9th grade students take AP courses. However, I hate to admit this, but when my kid goes to HS next year I will insist that he enroll in and many APs offered at each grade level, which including 9th. He is a smart but not overly diligent student and I think it’s good to be in the advanced courses whenever possible. Better cohort, better teachers, GPA boost, better curriculum, etc.

That was many years ago, before College Board remembered that they like money, and started inventing lots of new APs for 9th
grade and non-university-level courses.

https://blog.collegeboard.org/popular-ap-courses-grade

What's your plan if your non-overly-diligent student can't keep up with the curriculum and gets a B or C in the AP class instead of an A in honors?

My neighbors hired a tutors for their 9th grader who couldn’t keep up in APUSH and honors Alg 2. Odd to me the parents that push their kids into advanced classes they can’t handle.

So should a kid take:

Honors All 2 and Honors US History
or
Alg 2 and AP Gov

This is with a kid already taking AP Comp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Freshman is taking APUSH at a W. It wasn't really a question by the guidance counsellor (we moved so met about classes).

Mine is too at the SMCS magnet and already thinking it was a mistake. Loves history and writing but it feels like a bad idea to make freshman year this intense. Pondering changing after school starts if the academics seem crazy.

They should definitely change. Very strongly advised against for students in the magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The passing rates are declining. It was 68% overall with a “passing” and they NEVER differentiate 3-5.

Most colleges won’t accept a 3

Also there were 9 schools that didn’t hit 50%

Stop spreading misinformation. The passing rate for MCPS has been going up and it was over 70% between 2019-2021.
Only 4 schools didn't hit 50%.

Umm not the PP but I just did a quick google search and you are wrong and they are right.

https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-advanced-placement-ap-tests-scores-by-school-2019-2021-data-analysis/

Thanks for sharing this. I wish we had the pass rate for each AP course/exam at each school. That would help inform the specific APs I would encourage my kid to take.[/quote

We do have that. See table C3 here:

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/reports/2023/230209_2022_AP_IB_Exams_HS%20Principals.pdf

but it doesn't break down 3, 4, and 5's. I think that is very important since various colleges only take certain numbers

NP: You are in the minority as most students will not attend schools that only accept 4's or 5's. 1) the College Board defines 3 as passing AND 2) the majority of colleges/universities in the US DO ACCEPT scores of 3.

However, the information is available for each high school--ask your child's counselor or find the School profile for the current or previous graduating class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The passing rates are declining. It was 68% overall with a “passing” and they NEVER differentiate 3-5.

Most colleges won’t accept a 3

Also there were 9 schools that didn’t hit 50%

Stop spreading misinformation. The passing rate for MCPS has been going up and it was over 70% between 2019-2021.
Only 4 schools didn't hit 50%.

Umm not the PP but I just did a quick google search and you are wrong and they are right.

https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-advanced-placement-ap-tests-scores-by-school-2019-2021-data-analysis/

Thanks for sharing this. I wish we had the pass rate for each AP course/exam at each school. That would help inform the specific APs I would encourage my kid to take.

We do have that. See table C3 here:

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/reports/2023/230209_2022_AP_IB_Exams_HS%20Principals.pdf

but it doesn't break down 3, 4, and 5's. I think that is very important since various colleges only take certain numbers

NP: You are in the minority as most students will not attend schools that only accept 4's or 5's. 1) the College Board defines 3 as passing AND 2) the majority of colleges/universities in the US DO ACCEPT scores of 3 (including all Maryland public universities).

However, the information is available for each high school--ask your child's counselor or find the School profile for the current or previous graduating class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The passing rates are declining. It was 68% overall with a “passing” and they NEVER differentiate 3-5.

Most colleges won’t accept a 3

Also there were 9 schools that didn’t hit 50%

Stop spreading misinformation. The passing rate for MCPS has been going up and it was over 70% between 2019-2021.
Only 4 schools didn't hit 50%.

Umm not the PP but I just did a quick google search and you are wrong and they are right.

https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-advanced-placement-ap-tests-scores-by-school-2019-2021-data-analysis/

Thanks for sharing this. I wish we had the pass rate for each AP course/exam at each school. That would help inform the specific APs I would encourage my kid to take.

We do have that. See table C3 here:

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/reports/2023/230209_2022_AP_IB_Exams_HS%20Principals.pdf

but it doesn't break down 3, 4, and 5's. I think that is very important since various colleges only take certain numbers

NP: You are in the minority as most students will not attend schools that only accept 4's or 5's. 1) the College Board defines 3 as passing AND 2) the majority of colleges/universities in the US DO ACCEPT scores of 3 (including all Maryland public universities).

However, the information is available for each high school--ask your child's counselor or find the School profile for the current or previous graduating class.

Most 3's at UMD can only be used for lower level electives - so basically useless since most kids need on level of each course to get the credit. Trust me, it is very deceiving and can't really be used.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach AP Social Studies courses, including AP Govt. Several years ago, the Collegeboard put out a statement that they do not recommend that 9th grade students take AP courses. However, I hate to admit this, but when my kid goes to HS next year I will insist that he enroll in and many APs offered at each grade level, which including 9th. He is a smart but not overly diligent student and I think it’s good to be in the advanced courses whenever possible. Better cohort, better teachers, GPA boost, better curriculum, etc.

That was many years ago, before College Board remembered that they like money, and started inventing lots of new APs for 9th
grade and non-university-level courses.

https://blog.collegeboard.org/popular-ap-courses-grade

What's your plan if your non-overly-diligent student can't keep up with the curriculum and gets a B or C in the AP class instead of an A in honors?

My neighbors hired a tutors for their 9th grader who couldn’t keep up in APUSH and honors Alg 2. Odd to me the parents that push their kids into advanced classes they can’t handle.

So should a kid take:

Honors All 2 and Honors US History
or
Alg 2 and AP Gov

This is with a kid already taking AP Comp

Whichever they are stronger in, but definitely not both

I can't stand the parents that push all of this and then also get tutors. Kids are miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Freshman is taking APUSH at a W. It wasn't really a question by the guidance counsellor (we moved so met about classes).

Mine is too at the SMCS magnet and already thinking it was a mistake. Loves history and writing but it feels like a bad idea to make freshman year this intense. Pondering changing after school starts if the academics seem crazy.

They should definitely change. Very strongly advised against for students in the magnet.

So if magnet kids are being told not to take the AP, why are non-magnet kids taking it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach AP Social Studies courses, including AP Govt. Several years ago, the Collegeboard put out a statement that they do not recommend that 9th grade students take AP courses. However, I hate to admit this, but when my kid goes to HS next year I will insist that he enroll in and many APs offered at each grade level, which including 9th. He is a smart but not overly diligent student inand I think it’s good to be in the advanced courses whenever possible. Better cohort, better teachers, GPA boost, better curriculum, etc.

That was many years ago, before College Board remembered that they like money, and started inventing lots of new APs for 9th
grade and non-university-level courses.

https://blog.collegeboard.org/popular-ap-courses-grade

What's your plan if your non-overly-diligent student can't keep up with the curriculum and gets a B or C in the AP class instead of an A in honors?

PP— yes, I know CB likes money. That’s why their original letter was so interesting. I think it’s better for my kid to get a C in AP (and then go to tutoring for help) than to get an A in Honors. Absolutely no question in my mind about that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach AP Social Studies courses, including AP Govt. Several years ago, the Collegeboard put out a statement that they do not recommend that 9th grade students take AP courses. However, I hate to admit this, but when my kid goes to HS next year I will insist that he enroll in and many APs offered at each grade level, which including 9th. He is a smart but not overly diligent student and I think it’s good to be in the advanced courses whenever possible. Better cohort, better teachers, GPA boost, better curriculum, etc.

That was many years ago, before College Board remembered that they like money, and started inventing lots of new APs for 9th
grade and non-university-level courses.

https://blog.collegeboard.org/popular-ap-courses-grade

What's your plan if your non-overly-diligent student can't keep up with the curriculum and gets a B or C in the AP class instead of an A in honors?

My neighbors hired a tutors for their 9th grader who couldn’t keep up in APUSH and honors Alg 2. Odd to me the parents that push their kids into advanced classes they can’t handle.

Narrow assessment. It could also be a) the teaching of those classes is not up to par and b) the parent doesn't have the time or skills to help out with any homework questions.