Advantage of taking computer science elective in middle school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's some advantage to waiting and taking AP Computer Science Principles in HS for the tech credit, because it's an easy first AP class, with a weighted grade.

MCPS doesn't rank students, and colleges know it's a fake AP when they recalculate GPA, so no.

How on earth is AP CS that “easy”. The stats show that only 12% of kids get a 5.

It's a good question. Unfortunately, the raw scores are kept secret, so it's hard to analyze.

AP ES also has a low 5 rate and lower pass rate. AP Geography and AP Psychology also have a low pass rate.

In all these cases, it's likely because they are popular AP courses for students who aren't actually ready for advanced courses, while the advanced students take (and do well in) harder APs instead. (And the actual MCPS school grades are higher than the AP exam score equivalents (5/A 4/B 3/C))

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's some advantage to waiting and taking AP Computer Science Principles in HS for the tech credit, because it's an easy first AP class, with a weighted grade.

MCPS doesn't rank students, and colleges know it's a fake AP when they recalculate GPA, so no.

It's a graduation requirement anyway, so why not?

Look at the thread title.

[Anonymous]

Foundations of Computer Science (FOCS) or the Engineering course in Middle school : which one do you recommend and why? Is FOCS "too easy" for students who are already "into" CS; for students who can develop a bus tracking app for MCPS (don't need to be advanced to do it just putting it out there...)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's some advantage to waiting and taking AP Computer Science Principles in HS for the tech credit, because it's an easy first AP class, with a weighted grade.

Foundations of CS (FOCS) and AP CS Principles probably cover different material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's some advantage to waiting and taking AP Computer Science Principles in HS for the tech credit, because it's an easy first AP class, with a weighted grade.

Foundations of CS (FOCS) and AP CS Principles probably cover different material.

Somewhat, but they're pretty similar.

FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE A/B - ITC2083A / ITC2083B

This course provides an introductory-level overview of key concepts in computer science, emphasizing problem-solving, algorithms, programming, and the role of computing in modern society. The goals of the course include but are not limited to, building a foundational understanding of computer science principles, developing programming skills in a modern programming language, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and increasing awareness of the impact of computing on individuals, society, and the world.

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES TE A/B - ITC2084A / ITC2084B

This course, offered in partnership with Code.org, advances student understanding of the central ideas of computer science, engaging students in activities that show how computing changes the world. Through a focus on creativity, students explore technology as a means for solving computational problems, examining computer science’s relevance to and impact on the world today.