AP Java doesn't count for a tech credit, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they trying to gatekeep Java just for very interested students so others aren’t doing it just for the tech credit? I know it’s a tougher class to find qualified teachers for.

lol - i don't even think my DS teacher qualified - how can you teach java without knowing java. The teacher said so during open house. Crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP JAVA counts as the tech credit according MSDE who set the requirement:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/CTE/TE/Advanced%20Technology%20Education%20Memo%206-18-21%20(2).pdf

AP Java is AP Comp Sci A

It changed a few years ago.

Oh I’m really upset about this. I have two kids who took comp sci principals (which is a tremendously stupid class for anyone with CS knowledge) solely to get the tech credit. One maybe was before the change but the other was just last year. It really drives me nuts that McPS is not more transparent about this stuff. They constantly send emails and texts with worthless information but not information like this that would actually be helpful!

I wouldn't assume that MSDE's preapproved list necessarily means that MCPS's graduation requirements have been changed. The current year's course bulletin still says these are the courses that fulfill the tech credit:

Foundations of Technology A/B
Foundations of Computer Science A/B
Foundations of Engineering & Technology A/B
Introduction to Engineering Design A/B
AP Computer Science Principles, TE A/B
IB Computer Science 1, TE A/B
Advanced Design Applications
Advanced Technological Applications
Engineering Design A/B

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2025.pdf

What is IB Comp Sci? Which schools offer this course? RM HS? Definitely not all.

I'd assume just the 8 IB high schools.

Not an option at BCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is AP Computer S principles a pre req for AP Java? If your kid already took AP Comp Sci Principles, they fulfilled the tech credit.

It's not a pre-req. My kid came from the TPMS magnet so went straight to AP Java. His counsellor said it doesn't count but other sources said it does. Confused.

It's like that other post about another course, forgot if it was math or something else. When a parent asked counselor, counselor says they can take the AP class. When parent and student asked that course's Lead Teacher, they were told to take the Honors first then the AP.

Our counselor is pretty responsive and has been fairly proactive about reaching out with opportunities for various things (also Churchill). They've been able to give informative advice and are willing to work with our kid to get what he needs/wants. We'll see about the tech credit, but I wouldn't be terribly concerned if he has to take another tech class; knowing my kid, if he was forced to take a non AP or HON tech class he'd do it over the summer. Though it would be better to have it waived or subbed. He can ask.

They offer AP tech over the summer?

They don't offer AP over the summer, they offer tech over the summer. When my DD took it, it was "advanced" so got weighting. Not sure what the situation is now.

I think the engineering class is advanced but not the computer science class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP JAVA counts as the tech credit according MSDE who set the requirement:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/CTE/TE/Advanced%20Technology%20Education%20Memo%206-18-21%20(2).pdf

AP Java is AP Comp Sci A

It changed a few years ago.

Oh I’m really upset about this. I have two kids who took comp sci principals (which is a tremendously stupid class for anyone with CS knowledge) solely to get the tech credit. One maybe was before the change but the other was just last year. It really drives me nuts that McPS is not more transparent about this stuff. They constantly send emails and texts with worthless information but not information like this that would actually be helpful!

I wouldn't assume that MSDE's preapproved list necessarily means that MCPS's graduation requirements have been changed. The current year's course bulletin still says these are the courses that fulfill the tech credit:

Foundations of Technology A/B
Foundations of Computer Science A/B
Foundations of Engineering & Technology A/B
Introduction to Engineering Design A/B
AP Computer Science Principles, TE A/B
IB Computer Science 1, TE A/B
Advanced Design Applications
Advanced Technological Applications
Engineering Design A/B

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2025.pdf

What is IB Comp Sci? Which schools offer this course? RM HS? Definitely not all.

I'd assume just the 8 IB high schools.

Not an option at BCC.

Why isn't it offered at all the schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP JAVA counts as the tech credit according MSDE who set the requirement:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/CTE/TE/Advanced%20Technology%20Education%20Memo%206-18-21%20(2).pdf

AP Java is AP Comp Sci A

It changed a few years ago.

Oh I’m really upset about this. I have two kids who took comp sci principals (which is a tremendously stupid class for anyone with CS knowledge) solely to get the tech credit. One maybe was before the change but the other was just last year. It really drives me nuts that McPS is not more transparent about this stuff. They constantly send emails and texts with worthless information but not information like this that would actually be helpful!

I wouldn't assume that MSDE's preapproved list necessarily means that MCPS's graduation requirements have been changed. The current year's course bulletin still says these are the courses that fulfill the tech credit:

Foundations of Technology A/B
Foundations of Computer Science A/B
Foundations of Engineering & Technology A/B
Introduction to Engineering Design A/B
AP Computer Science Principles, TE A/B
IB Computer Science 1, TE A/B
Advanced Design Applications
Advanced Technological Applications
Engineering Design A/B

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2025.pdf

What is IB Comp Sci? Which schools offer this course? RM HS? Definitely not all.

I'd assume just the 8 IB high schools.

Not an option at BCC.

Why isn't it offered at all the schools?

Not all courses are offered at all schools even with soeciali3; programming. B-CC also has PLTW. There may not be enough demand for IB CS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP JAVA counts as the tech credit according MSDE who set the requirement:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/CTE/TE/Advanced%20Technology%20Education%20Memo%206-18-21%20(2).pdf

AP Java is AP Comp Sci A

It changed a few years ago.

Oh I’m really upset about this. I have two kids who took comp sci principals (which is a tremendously stupid class for anyone with CS knowledge) solely to get the tech credit. One maybe was before the change but the other was just last year. It really drives me nuts that McPS is not more transparent about this stuff. They constantly send emails and texts with worthless information but not information like this that would actually be helpful!

I wouldn't assume that MSDE's preapproved list necessarily means that MCPS's graduation requirements have been changed. The current year's course bulletin still says these are the courses that fulfill the tech credit:

Foundations of Technology A/B
Foundations of Computer Science A/B
Foundations of Engineering & Technology A/B
Introduction to Engineering Design A/B
AP Computer Science Principles, TE A/B
IB Computer Science 1, TE A/B
Advanced Design Applications
Advanced Technological Applications
Engineering Design A/B

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2025.pdf

What is IB Comp Sci? Which schools offer this course? RM HS? Definitely not all.

I'd assume just the 8 IB high schools.

Not an option at BCC.

Why isn't it offered at all the schools?

Not all courses are offered at all schools even with soeciali3; programming. B-CC also has PLTW. There may not be enough demand for IB CS.

What is IB CS? Is it as bad as AP CS Principles?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is AP Computer S principles a pre req for AP Java? If your kid already took AP Comp Sci Principles, they fulfilled the tech credit.

He hasn't yet, he's just starting HS next year and took foreign language + band all 3 years of MS. Trying to understand the pathway and requirements here. Like if AP Java counts for tech credit, I wouldn't suggest him taking AP CS Principles next year, but if it doesn't, I would.

Ask if the school will approve taking AP CS A Java without taking AP CS Principles first, and if they require a placement evaluation. Please report what you learn.

Bigger issue here is why isn't it CONSISTENT at ALL MCPS schools? And why isn't it CLEAR in documents, website or stuff coming out of humans' mouth when you ask at school or elsewhere?

Some schools are more privileged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is AP Computer S principles a pre req for AP Java? If your kid already took AP Comp Sci Principles, they fulfilled the tech credit.

He hasn't yet, he's just starting HS next year and took foreign language + band all 3 years of MS. Trying to understand the pathway and requirements here. Like if AP Java counts for tech credit, I wouldn't suggest him taking AP CS Principles next year, but if it doesn't, I would.

Ask if the school will approve taking AP CS A Java without taking AP CS Principles first, and if they require a placement evaluation. Please report what you learn.

Bigger issue here is why isn't it CONSISTENT at ALL MCPS schools? And why isn't it CLEAR in documents, website or stuff coming out of humans' mouth when you ask at school or elsewhere?

Some schools are more privileged.

Not offering at all is an equity issue that MCP claims it addresses. PTAs are not MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP JAVA counts as the tech credit according MSDE who set the requirement:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/CTE/TE/Advanced%20Technology%20Education%20Memo%206-18-21%20(2).pdf

AP Java is AP Comp Sci A

It changed a few years ago.

Oh I’m really upset about this. I have two kids who took comp sci principals (which is a tremendously stupid class for anyone with CS knowledge) solely to get the tech credit. One maybe was before the change but the other was just last year. It really drives me nuts that McPS is not more transparent about this stuff. They constantly send emails and texts with worthless information but not information like this that would actually be helpful!

I wouldn't assume that MSDE's preapproved list necessarily means that MCPS's graduation requirements have been changed. The current year's course bulletin still says these are the courses that fulfill the tech credit:

Foundations of Technology A/B
Foundations of Computer Science A/B
Foundations of Engineering & Technology A/B
Introduction to Engineering Design A/B
AP Computer Science Principles, TE A/B
IB Computer Science 1, TE A/B
Advanced Design Applications
Advanced Technological Applications
Engineering Design A/B

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2025.pdf

What is IB Comp Sci? Which schools offer this course? RM HS? Definitely not all.

I'd assume just the 8 IB high schools.

Not an option at BCC.

Why isn't it offered at all the schools?

Not all courses are offered at all schools even with soeciali3; programming. B-CC also has PLTW. There may not be enough demand for IB CS.

What is IB CS? Is it as bad as AP CS Principles?

https://www.ibo.org/university-admission/latest-curriculum-updates/computer-science-updates/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they trying to gatekeep Java just for very interested students so others aren’t doing it just for the tech credit? I know it’s a tougher class to find qualified teachers for.

It's a real problem. Everyone qualified to teach that class is busy 8am-2pm attending their own high school classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they trying to gatekeep Java just for very interested students so others aren’t doing it just for the tech credit? I know it’s a tougher class to find qualified teachers for.

It's a real problem. Everyone qualified to teach that class is busy 8am-2pm attending their own high school classes.

Wow

[Anonymous]

OP here. We heard back from the school that AP Java does count for the tech credit! But he'll need to take either AP CS Princ or Computer Programming 1 before then. So I'm leaning toward AP CS Princ next year, just in case there is some issue with AP Java not counting in the end, and also because it's a weighted class. (And it will be nice to get one more requirement out of the way next year!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We heard back from the school that AP Java does count for the tech credit! But he'll need to take either AP CS Princ or Computer Programming 1 before then. So I'm leaning toward AP CS Princ next year, just in case there is some issue with AP Java not counting in the end, and also because it's a weighted class. (And it will be nice to get one more requirement out of the way next year!)

So, AP Java DOES indeed have a pre-req of either AP CS Principles or Comp Prog 1? And is that pre-req at all schools that offer AP Java? Questions continue...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We heard back from the school that AP Java does count for the tech credit! But he'll need to take either AP CS Princ or Computer Programming 1 before then. So I'm leaning toward AP CS Princ next year, just in case there is some issue with AP Java not counting in the end, and also because it's a weighted class. (And it will be nice to get one more requirement out of the way next year!)

So, AP Java DOES indeed have a pre-req of either AP CS Principles or Comp Prog 1? And is that pre-req at all schools that offer AP Java? Questions continue...

OP here. This is what I was told about Churchill. Not sure about other schools.

[Anonymous]

If it's at one HS, why isn't it the same at other HSs that offer AP Java?