Help Needed: Struggling to Find AP Exam Registration for Homeschooled Student

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why you are receiving so much pushback. Contact the testing coordinator at your base high school. I teach an AP course and have an extra student on my "will be testing in May" list--I don't know if they are self study, home school, private school, or what--but they are not in my class.

[Anonymous]

Here is the response I received from FCPS:

Supervisor Palchik’s office shared your questions about AP testing with us. After discussing the matter with FCPS staff, I wanted to ensure you had the following response.

FCPS provides thousands of AP assessments over several days across our high schools. This volume requires complex scheduling, the use of all available staff for appropriate proctoring, and diligent use of space and other resources to ensure all testing requirements are met. In addition, FCPS is required to meet all approved accommodations for students with IEPs or Section 504 plans, which puts an additional strain on school resources. This all takes place while school is in session.

The school division believes it would put an unmanageable burden on school staff to open testing to non-FCPS students. Thus, FCPS’ practice mirrors the practice of our surrounding school divisions. Private schools complete the process to get their courses authorized by the College Board, and they are able and should be expected to provide the exams to their students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! I appreciate the insight. It's AP human Geography (she's in 9th grade) but I anticipate we will have this problem for all of high school trying to find a testing locations for the AP classes she intends to take. I have reached out to our FCPS superintendent and am pressing this issue heavily because I don't understand why as a tax payer and with proper paperwork this isn't even an option. I'll keep at it. I am trying to hit up every single public school district within 2 hours distance to see what their policy is. FCPS = No, Loudoun, make exceptions but need to live in Loudoun and present a NOI so = No. It's crazy that they put this burden on parents and students to find something. The college board offers no help. Such a shame. I have a bunch of emails out, but I have already spent about 20 hours on this with no luck. Just seems like there is absolutely no options out there and no one willing to help guide better. I'll check out Facebook Groups now! Thanks again!

Don’t use bullshit “because I am a taxpayer” arguments. The county gave you a school which you decided to not attend.

The local school also wouldn’t accommodate a private school kid that attended a school that doesn’t offer the test.

Thank you! I will!

Maybe sign your kid up for school in the Fall.

Different poster. PP, you are weirdly over-invested and angry…and just wrong. Such an ugly look to be stupid and an @$$hole.

Here is what VA law says: You may request any AP test, even if the school does not offer the AP course. Due in part to HEAV's efforts, Virginia law (§22.1-254.1(F)) requires all school districts to make Advanced Placement (AP) and Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) examinations available to homeschooled students. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter14/section22.1-254.1/

OP you should contact HEAV (referenced above — Homeschool Educators of Virginia) for assistance. They have a free help line, just look up their website and you can find their contact info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why you are receiving so much pushback. Contact the testing coordinator at your base high school. I teach an AP course and have an extra student on my "will be testing in May" list--I don't know if they are self study, home school, private school, or what--but they are not in my class.

She is a private online student which is disallowed by their policy. If she were homeschooled through fairfax county she would qualify but because she isn't this is the issue.

[Anonymous]

I don’t live in the VA area but I’m moving there soon from Canada. I had the same issue as my daughter attends a private U.S. online school. I was able to find a school in buffalo that would allow her to sit for the exams. Not sure if that’s too far travel wise but happy to provide the info if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't take AP exams without completing the course - this is the rule in FCPS.

I guarantee that homeschoolers have taken AP exams there before.

As PP mentioned above, in Maryland, public schools are required to allow homeschoolers to take standardized tests. We still have problems if our neighborhood school doesn't offer the particular exam, and we have to reach out to other high schools. If you don't have similar protections, your best bet is contacting local private schools, and join a local Virginia homeschool group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the response I received from FCPS:

Supervisor Palchik’s office shared your questions about AP testing with us. After discussing the matter with FCPS staff, I wanted to ensure you had the following response.

FCPS provides thousands of AP assessments over several days across our high schools. This volume requires complex scheduling, the use of all available staff for appropriate proctoring, and diligent use of space and other resources to ensure all testing requirements are met. In addition, FCPS is required to meet all approved accommodations for students with IEPs or Section 504 plans, which puts an additional strain on school resources. This all takes place while school is in session.

The school division believes it would put an unmanageable burden on school staff to open testing to non-FCPS students. Thus, FCPS’ practice mirrors the practice of our surrounding school divisions. Private schools complete the process to get their courses authorized by the College Board, and they are able and should be expected to provide the exams to their students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

OP - I think part of the problem is that you are offering way too much information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the response I received from FCPS:

Supervisor Palchik’s office shared your questions about AP testing with us. After discussing the matter with FCPS staff, I wanted to ensure you had the following response.

FCPS provides thousands of AP assessments over several days across our high schools. This volume requires complex scheduling, the use of all available staff for appropriate proctoring, and diligent use of space and other resources to ensure all testing requirements are met. In addition, FCPS is required to meet all approved accommodations for students with IEPs or Section 504 plans, which puts an additional strain on school resources. This all takes place while school is in session.

The school division believes it would put an unmanageable burden on school staff to open testing to non-FCPS students. Thus, FCPS’ practice mirrors the practice of our surrounding school divisions. Private schools complete the process to get their courses authorized by the College Board, and they are able and should be expected to provide the exams to their students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

OP - I think part of the problem is that you are offering way too much information.

What do you mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the response I received from FCPS:

Supervisor Palchik’s office shared your questions about AP testing with us. After discussing the matter with FCPS staff, I wanted to ensure you had the following response.

FCPS provides thousands of AP assessments over several days across our high schools. This volume requires complex scheduling, the use of all available staff for appropriate proctoring, and diligent use of space and other resources to ensure all testing requirements are met. In addition, FCPS is required to meet all approved accommodations for students with IEPs or Section 504 plans, which puts an additional strain on school resources. This all takes place while school is in session.

The school division believes it would put an unmanageable burden on school staff to open testing to non-FCPS students. Thus, FCPS’ practice mirrors the practice of our surrounding school divisions. Private schools complete the process to get their courses authorized by the College Board, and they are able and should be expected to provide the exams to their students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

OP - I think part of the problem is that you are offering way too much information.

What do you mean?

Stop describing to school officials that your child is attending a private on-line program or where you live, etc. Just call and say that your child is homeschooled and needs to register for AP exams. As you see in the FCPS response above, they are citing the fact that your DC attends private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the response I received from FCPS:

Supervisor Palchik’s office shared your questions about AP testing with us. After discussing the matter with FCPS staff, I wanted to ensure you had the following response.

FCPS provides thousands of AP assessments over several days across our high schools. This volume requires complex scheduling, the use of all available staff for appropriate proctoring, and diligent use of space and other resources to ensure all testing requirements are met. In addition, FCPS is required to meet all approved accommodations for students with IEPs or Section 504 plans, which puts an additional strain on school resources. This all takes place while school is in session.

The school division believes it would put an unmanageable burden on school staff to open testing to non-FCPS students. Thus, FCPS’ practice mirrors the practice of our surrounding school divisions. Private schools complete the process to get their courses authorized by the College Board, and they are able and should be expected to provide the exams to their students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

OP - I think part of the problem is that you are offering way too much information.

What do you mean?

Stop describing to school officials that your child is attending a private on-line program or where you live, etc. Just call and say that your child is homeschooled and needs to register for AP exams. As you see in the FCPS response above, they are citing the fact that your DC attends private.

Agree.

Did you submit a NOI to homeschool
to FCPS? Or is she a private school student (even though online)?

Homeschooled students must be provided AP tests by the district. Private school students don’t.

[Anonymous]

Try the diocesan high schools. I recall a homeschooled kid taking an AP exam at Bishop Ireton two years ago.

[Anonymous]

Another great reason not to homeschool. I bet your kid does great in school. Let me guess 4.7 GPA??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the response I received from FCPS:

Supervisor Palchik’s office shared your questions about AP testing with us. After discussing the matter with FCPS staff, I wanted to ensure you had the following response.

FCPS provides thousands of AP assessments over several days across our high schools. This volume requires complex scheduling, the use of all available staff for appropriate proctoring, and diligent use of space and other resources to ensure all testing requirements are met. In addition, FCPS is required to meet all approved accommodations for students with IEPs or Section 504 plans, which puts an additional strain on school resources. This all takes place while school is in session.

The school division believes it would put an unmanageable burden on school staff to open testing to non-FCPS students. Thus, FCPS’ practice mirrors the practice of our surrounding school divisions. Private schools complete the process to get their courses authorized by the College Board, and they are able and should be expected to provide the exams to their students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

OP - I think part of the problem is that you are offering way too much information.

Also going straight to the superintendent instead of working the system and figuring out the appropriate interlocutor. That's going to get people's backs up.

[Anonymous]

Agree with several PPs. OP provided too much information and escalated to the top too quickly, which will make everyone involved defensive rather than helpful.

Contact the homeschoolers group mentioned above and get advice there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't take AP exams without completing the course - this is the rule in FCPS.

I guarantee that homeschoolers have taken AP exams there before.

As PP mentioned above, in Maryland, public schools are required to allow homeschoolers to take standardized tests. We still have problems if our neighborhood school doesn't offer the particular exam, and we have to reach out to other high schools. If you don't have similar protections, your best bet is contacting local private schools, and join a local Virginia homeschool group.

OP buried the lede, she doesn’t homeschool, her child attends an online private school.