GDS just dropped AP testing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This does affect admissions to UK schools and it affects freshman standing at many US universities - especially large state universities. For example, at UC schools AP credits will affect your number of credits, which will affect your status for registration.

GDS parent here. I’m no longer shocked at the bad decisions this administration makes. Two posts back, someone clearly shows that many top schools do actually factor AP scores despite the dogma here and at GDS college office that they don’t.

I know for a fact that BC does. As in direct from the head of admissions. And they aren’t alone.

So what exactly is GDS saying here? Come to GDS if you want to go to a SLAC and only a SLAC?

This will also create 100-200 GD parents across 10th-12th grade calling random schools to see if they will let our kids sit for these tests.
My kid wants to keep UK option open. So they want to take a couple AP tests after 10th grade. Now what, GDS sent me a college board link that shows all schools in DC that offer the test. No further guidance. Just call around.

Such utter BS.

Write an email to the school and CC all the board members. Better yet, have all your friends who feel similarly do it too. This doesn't need to be a permanent change... they can walk it back with enough voices of dissent. If I were you, I'd organize and get this taken care of now.

Agreed, from another GDS parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe there is no advantage for admissions but there is an advantage in terms of graduating early, picking up a minor, repeating a class without delaying graduation...

I also think in the world of no SATs and grade inflation, submitting lots of 5s in challenging APs is one of the few things left to show you can handle challenge.

+100

+1 It is one of the few nationally applied tests to determine a student's standing among peers. 5s cannot hurt an applicant.
Many competitive colleges for a long time have not accepted APs to get out of credits, but they can sometimes get you out of intro level courses. Some colleges have special courses for kids who have received 5s (I was admitted into a special history seminar at Swarthmore that was open only to first-year students who received a 5 on an AP history exam).
Some colleges do let you get out of classes with 4s or 5s--this can be a huge financial benefit for kids who may be able to graduate a semester or even a year early. That is a massive savings--I don't understand why GDS doesn't acknowledge this. There are kids at GDS who are on significant financial aid.

This goes against everything that the school stands for. I don’t understand how this promotes equity at all. How is taking away the ability to start college with credits inline with the school’s mission? I would write this to the board/HOS and challenge them to rethink this ASAP.

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t promote equity. It’s just doubling down on their awful decision to discontinue AP courses.

[Anonymous]

Not having to host the tests does save them time and effort and money. Maybe they will fold the savings into FA.

[Anonymous]

How does it save them money? Each family pays for the tests.

[Anonymous]

I cannot understand what college applications are based on any more. How will they compare without relying heavily on essays and CVs?

[Anonymous]

My kid is at STA and they have now kept APs in science, math and foreign language. They administer AP exams in the humanities.

[Anonymous]

The wording is key.

It’s true, there is no negative effect if a school does not have any AP classes to offer. The problem here is that is meant for schools in poorer districts that cannot afford to have AP programs and teachers got those classes or where there is very little interest by the majority of the student body.

A ‘top’ private, that charges $$$$, and has a mostly wealthy and privileged clientele that decides no more APs or AP exams is a red flag that’s obviously trying to game the system and rely solely on reputation. They know their students can’t compete with the public school kids in this area.

[Anonymous]

GDS charges for the exams. It’s a passthrough expense, so they don’t make money. But these tests are given on school days and are proctored by teachers, who don’t mind a breather in lesson planning and grading.

IOW, it’s a win or a wash. So why get rid of the tests?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does it save them money? Each family pays for the tests.

Even the students on FA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS charges for the exams. It’s a passthrough expense, so they don’t make money. But these tests are given on school days and are proctored by teachers, who don’t mind a breather in lesson planning and grading.

IOW, it’s a win or a wash. So why get rid of the tests?

Are the teacher paid extra to proctor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The wording is key.

It’s true, there is no negative effect if a school does not have any AP classes to offer. The problem here is that is meant for schools in poorer districts that cannot afford to have AP programs and teachers got those classes or where there is very little interest by the majority of the student body.

A ‘top’ private, that charges $$$$, and has a mostly wealthy and privileged clientele that decides no more APs or AP exams is a red flag that’s obviously trying to game the system and rely solely on reputation. They know their students can’t compete with the public school kids in this area.

yep. Jackson Reed (DCPS) is next door and kids start cranking out APs in 10th grade there. Top kids will take 15+ but their pass rate (scores of 3+) on most is in the teens. My neighbor's kid was in 2 APs last year that didn't have teachers for 6+ months. So the kids just all got As for doing nothing (they couldn't grade them as there were no teachers to give any assignments).

[Anonymous]

The credit my child received from AP scores allowed him to double major and still be on track to graduate in 4 years. I think it’s short-sighted by GDS to not offer the tests, regardless of whether or not they are useful for admissions.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t believe they can taken anywhere other than the student’s current school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The credit my child received from AP scores allowed him to double major and still be on track to graduate in 4 years. I think it’s short-sighted by GDS to not offer the tests, regardless of whether or not they are useful for admissions.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t believe they can taken anywhere other than the student’s current school.

Yes, they can. See the college board website. GDS wouldn’t be that stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at STA and they have now kept APs in science, math and foreign language. They administer AP exams in the humanities.

Are NCS students allowed to take these APs at STA?