GDS just dropped AP testing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS seems to be interested in maintaining its equity first, woke reputation at all costs. It’s shocking to me that parents pay to have their children indoctrinated there.

+1000

But how does this policy play into this? Seriously asking. My other question with GDS is every time their new policies come up on this board, parents are really mad. Why is there such a disconnect between the school’s choices and what the parents want? I can’t make sense of this.

GDS parent here. Parents are scared of speaking up- especially if you have a junior or senior you don't want to make waves. The school doesn't want to hear from us - the attitude is with a sub 5% acceptance rate there are kids clamoring to get in, if you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. My kids love it but it has gone off the rails since Kevin Barr left and we can't stand the new administrators. Can't wait for HS to be done. That said this AP thing is true at all the top privates- none of them (Sidwell St Albans etc offically offer AP's anymore.) The only difference is GDS is not making it convenient for kids to sit for the test at school.

Wrong info-St. Albans and NCS DO offer standard AP classes in math, science, and foreign language. Just not in History or English. And they still offer the exams on campus.

STA and NCS both offer them and yes it is nice to be able to get college credit for 1-2 classes if the college accepts them which most do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS seems to be interested in maintaining its equity first, woke reputation at all costs. It’s shocking to me that parents pay to have their children indoctrinated there.

+1000

But how does this policy play into this? Seriously asking. My other question with GDS is every time their new policies come up on this board, parents are really mad. Why is there such a disconnect between the school’s choices and what the parents want? I can’t make sense of this.

GDS parent here. Parents are scared of speaking up- especially if you have a junior or senior you don't want to make waves. The school doesn't want to hear from us - the attitude is with a sub 5% acceptance rate there are kids clamoring to get in, if you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. My kids love it but it has gone off the rails since Kevin Barr left and we can't stand the new administrators. Can't wait for HS to be done. That said this AP thing is true at all the top privates- none of them (Sidwell St Albans etc offically offer AP's anymore.) The only difference is GDS is not making it convenient for kids to sit for the test at school.

This seems to be a recurrent theme on this board from all Big 3/5 parents-really sad we have to keep our mouths shut and let our kids fall victim to the whims of these crazy administrators who seem to want to ruin their ability to compete effectively with public school kids loading up on AP classes and exams.

I knew the children at the Bigs were so very disadvantaged but I had no idea the parents were to be pitied as well. Poor, poor, frightened parents.

They announced the plan to end AP classes six years ago. If you’re surprised by this it’s your own fault.

The schools made the decision pre-pandemic and GDS is the only one of the schools to not reconsider the nuances of decision in light of the massive upheaval in standardized testing since then. What may have been reasonable and advantageous for its students six years ago is likely not advantageous now.

That isn’t the point. The point is the GDS parents today knew what was coming before they enrolled their children in the upper school. Maybe other schools backtracked but that can’t be assumed. You have no one to blame but yourselves if you’re unhappy now.

That’s not true at all. Like all the other schools, GDS made a point of keeping the exams and explicitly said they would do so. They obviously realized, along with all the other schools, that there are good reasons for many students to take AP exams even without an official AP course. And this is what many students continued to do. The importance of objective testing has only increased since SAT/ACT optional policies have resulted in colleges having fewer standardized measures to compare applicants across schools. It can help a student corroborate a transcript, especially in these schools that don’t practice grade inflation. And that’s apart from how helpful getting credits or advanced placement in college can be for students who want to explore more subjects or do a double major, which is separate from admissions but nonetheless affects students’ opportunities in college. GDS is alone in no longer acknowledging the utility of AP exams for this purpose, to the detriment of its students and families who now have to scour the DMV trying to find a place to sit for the tests.

[Anonymous]

Agree 1000% with the above poster-I sure hope our private doesn’t try the same stunt. It was never mentioned that tests would no longer be offered, and in fact, most DMV privates tout the fact that students can do really well on the AP exams by taking their new and improved version of the AP classes. GDS parents should strongly protest this move by the woke administration and say No Way!!

[Anonymous]

Not at GDS, but at another school without AP classes and it drives me crazy that this year's text books include AP Spanish, AP Calculous, AP Econ, AP Psych, etc. ...For not wanting to follow AP curriculum, they certainly use a lot of AP text books. Our school still does offer AP tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS seems to be interested in maintaining its equity first, woke reputation at all costs. It’s shocking to me that parents pay to have their children indoctrinated there.

+1000

But how does this policy play into this? Seriously asking. My other question with GDS is every time their new policies come up on this board, parents are really mad. Why is there such a disconnect between the school’s choices and what the parents want? I can’t make sense of this.

GDS parent here. Parents are scared of speaking up- especially if you have a junior or senior you don't want to make waves. The school doesn't want to hear from us - the attitude is with a sub 5% acceptance rate there are kids clamoring to get in, if you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. My kids love it but it has gone off the rails since Kevin Barr left and we can't stand the new administrators. Can't wait for HS to be done. That said this AP thing is true at all the top privates- none of them (Sidwell St Albans etc offically offer AP's anymore.) The only difference is GDS is not making it convenient for kids to sit for the test at school.

This seems to be a recurrent theme on this board from all Big 3/5 parents-really sad we have to keep our mouths shut and let our kids fall victim to the whims of these crazy administrators who seem to want to ruin their ability to compete effectively with public school kids loading up on AP classes and exams.

I knew the children at the Bigs were so very disadvantaged but I had no idea the parents were to be pitied as well. Poor, poor, frightened parents.

They announced the plan to end AP classes six years ago. If you’re surprised by this it’s your own fault.

The schools made the decision pre-pandemic and GDS is the only one of the schools to not reconsider the nuances of decision in light of the massive upheaval in standardized testing since then. What may have been reasonable and advantageous for its students six years ago is likely not advantageous now.

That isn’t the point. The point is the GDS parents today knew what was coming before they enrolled their children in the upper school. Maybe other schools backtracked but that can’t be assumed. You have no one to blame but yourselves if you’re unhappy now.

They announced the end of AP classes, not AP tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS seems to be interested in maintaining its equity first, woke reputation at all costs. It’s shocking to me that parents pay to have their children indoctrinated there.

+1000

But how does this policy play into this? Seriously asking. My other question with GDS is every time their new policies come up on this board, parents are really mad. Why is there such a disconnect between the school’s choices and what the parents want? I can’t make sense of this.

GDS parent here. Parents are scared of speaking up- especially if you have a junior or senior you don't want to make waves. The school doesn't want to hear from us - the attitude is with a sub 5% acceptance rate there are kids clamoring to get in, if you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. My kids love it but it has gone off the rails since Kevin Barr left and we can't stand the new administrators. Can't wait for HS to be done. That said this AP thing is true at all the top privates- none of them (Sidwell St Albans etc offically offer AP's anymore.) The only difference is GDS is not making it convenient for kids to sit for the test at school.

This seems to be a recurrent theme on this board from all Big 3/5 parents-really sad we have to keep our mouths shut and let our kids fall victim to the whims of these crazy administrators who seem to want to ruin their ability to compete effectively with public school kids loading up on AP classes and exams.

I knew the children at the Bigs were so very disadvantaged but I had no idea the parents were to be pitied as well. Poor, poor, frightened parents.

They announced the plan to end AP classes six years ago. If you’re surprised by this it’s your own fault.

The schools made the decision pre-pandemic and GDS is the only one of the schools to not reconsider the nuances of decision in light of the massive upheaval in standardized testing since then. What may have been reasonable and advantageous for its students six years ago is likely not advantageous now.

That isn’t the point. The point is the GDS parents today knew what was coming before they enrolled their children in the upper school. Maybe other schools backtracked but that can’t be assumed. You have no one to blame but yourselves if you’re unhappy now.

They announced the end of AP classes, not AP tests.

Exactly. It’s shocking how many times on this thread this has to be explained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not at GDS, but at another school without AP classes and it drives me crazy that this year's text books include AP Spanish, AP Calculous, AP Econ, AP Psych, etc. ...For not wanting to follow AP curriculum, they certainly use a lot of AP text books. Our school still does offer AP tests.

That is hilarious. And I bet the admin and so many parents just went on and on about how dropping APs would free the school and the students from the narrow confines of the AP curriculum!

[Anonymous]

Please fellow GDS parents, reach out to admin and the Board to express your concerns or nothing will change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not at GDS, but at another school without AP classes and it drives me crazy that this year's text books include AP Spanish, AP Calculous, AP Econ, AP Psych, etc. ...For not wanting to follow AP curriculum, they certainly use a lot of AP text books. Our school still does offer AP tests.

That is hilarious. And I bet the admin and so many parents just went on and on about how dropping APs would free the school and the students from the narrow confines of the AP curriculum!

Exactly! One teacher asked the class yesterday how many kids were planning to take the AP test this year and gave a practice AP quiz. This is all fine if your child plans to go to a NE LAC, but for those wanting state schools, etc. not having AP course designations is an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not at GDS, but at another school without AP classes and it drives me crazy that this year's text books include AP Spanish, AP Calculous, AP Econ, AP Psych, etc. ...For not wanting to follow AP curriculum, they certainly use a lot of AP text books. Our school still does offer AP tests.

That is hilarious. And I bet the admin and so many parents just went on and on about how dropping APs would free the school and the students from the narrow confines of the AP curriculum!

Exactly! One teacher asked the class yesterday how many kids were planning to take the AP test this year and gave a practice AP quiz. This is all fine if your child plans to go to a NE LAC, but for those wanting state schools, etc. not having AP course designations is an issue.

A GDS teacher? Crazy if so ... and not surprising that college office did not communicate this to their teachers. Some of the teachers there have been AP readers / graders for years. I'm guessing they will be last to get the memo and will hate this decision like we the parents do

And yes, to a previous poster - I plan to communicate my displeasure at this decision to Russell, CO, head of high school. Administering the tests cost them nothing (we paid $90 per test as parents)....this was just a virtue signal. Even if 3x more kids took tests than needed to (probably not), the 30 kids a year who want to apply UK or just want to take an AP to demonstrate mastery are now harmed. They didnt even have GDS teachers proctoring...they brought in outside or after-school program staff to proctor. They had the classroom space. This is entirely GDS safetyism...let me help you all not be stressed - at full play

I've read the CO email over and over - it conveniently ignores the use case to take the tests and the fact that publi high schools have ZERO ability or requirement to take on outside kids to take the tests. They are compelled to allow home schooled kids to take APs in DC and MD but no one else.

[Anonymous]

Where to find an AP test center outside of your own high school? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They had dropped the AP courses a few years ago (collusion case successfully brought by DOJ as a result of this as we all remember).

Now GDS just announced that they are dropping AP testing

"Over the last year, our team has been in conversation with dozens of college admissions offices from small liberal arts colleges to large flagship state institutions. In each of these conversations, we have confirmed what we shared with families when GDS moved away from AP courses: For college admissions, there is no advantage to taking AP tests if you attend a high school that does not offer that coursework."

Is this statement true? How about the increasing # of kids who have been applying and matriculating at UK/Ireland/Canadian schools? How about schools like NYU that actually take AP testing in lieu of SAT/ACT (optional of course).

Something about this decision sits wrong with me...they are making it even harder for the subset of students who dont want to go to SLACs.

Also what about the college credit that some schools - esp. state flagships still offer for AP tests 4+

How's that for GDS equity mission?

My kid is at a school that dropped APs years ago and she’s not taking any AP exams and I think it’s awesome. There are enough pointless boxes to check on the road to college. No need to add more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They had dropped the AP courses a few years ago (collusion case successfully brought by DOJ as a result of this as we all remember).

Now GDS just announced that they are dropping AP testing

"Over the last year, our team has been in conversation with dozens of college admissions offices from small liberal arts colleges to large flagship state institutions. In each of these conversations, we have confirmed what we shared with families when GDS moved away from AP courses: For college admissions, there is no advantage to taking AP tests if you attend a high school that does not offer that coursework."

Is this statement true? How about the increasing # of kids who have been applying and matriculating at UK/Ireland/Canadian schools? How about schools like NYU that actually take AP testing in lieu of SAT/ACT (optional of course).

Something about this decision sits wrong with me...they are making it even harder for the subset of students who dont want to go to SLACs.

Also what about the college credit that some schools - esp. state flagships still offer for AP tests 4+

How's that for GDS equity mission?

My kid is at a school that dropped APs years ago and she’s not taking any AP exams and I think it’s awesome. There are enough pointless boxes to check on the road to college. No need to add more.

Wait until she matriculated in a college and come back. Her classmates will have many AP credits and your daughter will not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They had dropped the AP courses a few years ago (collusion case successfully brought by DOJ as a result of this as we all remember).

Now GDS just announced that they are dropping AP testing

"Over the last year, our team has been in conversation with dozens of college admissions offices from small liberal arts colleges to large flagship state institutions. In each of these conversations, we have confirmed what we shared with families when GDS moved away from AP courses: For college admissions, there is no advantage to taking AP tests if you attend a high school that does not offer that coursework."

Is this statement true? How about the increasing # of kids who have been applying and matriculating at UK/Ireland/Canadian schools? How about schools like NYU that actually take AP testing in lieu of SAT/ACT (optional of course).

Something about this decision sits wrong with me...they are making it even harder for the subset of students who dont want to go to SLACs.

Also what about the college credit that some schools - esp. state flagships still offer for AP tests 4+

How's that for GDS equity mission?

My kid is at a school that dropped APs years ago and she’s not taking any AP exams and I think it’s awesome. There are enough pointless boxes to check on the road to college. No need to add more.

Wait until she matriculated in a college and come back. Her classmates will have many AP credits and your daughter will not.

So? What is the obsession with collecting college credits before even getting to college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The right thing to do.

Yes, any objective measure of the kids should be eliminated. Kids should only be judged by the adversity score of their essays.

Yes, at least this would finally achieve true equity. Tests = bias