AP Classes to be Eliminated by 2022

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The seven top private schools in the area issued a joint statement that they’re all eliminating AP. According to the Post, before “dropping AP, the schools surveyed nearly 150 colleges and universities about the potential impact. They said admission officers assured them the change would not hurt the chances of their students.”

Of course it won’t. Privilege begets privilege.

As a public school parent, this strikes me as privileged parents gaming the system so their children can never be compared directly to public school children. Colleges will just be told to trust them that their classes — and their children — are superior.

Really? Well then what do you consider the SAT and ACT? Also, private school kids will still take the AP exams, they just don't need special prescribed curriculum AP classes to do well.

I consider the ACT sand SAT the last existing exams by which to actually compare students across schools, and I expect many more kids to opt out of them and apply to test optional schools. I also really don’t expect students will take APs on their own, given that the whole point of these courses is that they don’t have to cover the same material as the AP tests.

I think we’re moving to a point where truly the only number that matters is your parents’ income. If you can write a check to the university, you get to go. It’s not fair but at least it’s honest.

Youa re plainly wrong. The truth is that is how it always has been and that we are moving away from that now. More elite colleges and universities are saving spaces for kids who are the first in their families to attend college, more schools are setting aside money to defray costs for poor and middle income students, more schools are downgrading the weight of legacy status, fewer rich privileged and upper class kids get into the elite colleges and universites every year as these schools are changing many if their policies to get a more economically diverse student body. Its is much tougher for private school students to get into the top colleges and universities than it was a generation ago mostly because so many kids who previously would never have been able to even consider an Ivy or top SLAC are now applying in record numbers.

Agree. But these same brilliant students are going to top 50 universities and outperforming so they will stack rank excellently for grad school or in competitive job recruiting situations.

We've all met people who truly know their stuff, and those that truly don't know their stuff. There's a mix in all situations - public/private K-12, Ivy/SLAC/State colleges, on the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids from these 7 privates schools in DC do not struggle at college. These kids tend to coast by in college unless they are able to take higher level track classes because they have been in rigorous high school classes for 4 years (and often more than 4 years - many students in the 7th and 8th grades in these private schools are taking what elsewhere would be high school level classes).

Your generalization about kids at these schools is just so over the top. I had one kid attend one of the seven private and one attend a public W school. There were plenty at the private who struggled in college and did not take any AP classes or honors. The colleges they attend are just ok, similar to what you might see any mid level W student attend.

As far as 7th and 8th grade, we saw no evidence that 7th and 8th grade were anything close to high school level classes for math and science. The public school math and science for middle school were much better specially if you were at the top of the class. Depending on the school private school math and science can be a mixed bag. Public School has offered more choices for math and science. I would agree that the English/history were better in private especially when it comes to writing instruction.

[Anonymous]

I’m pleased. We chose private so teachers don’t have to teach to tests like the SOL. I’m happy they are no longer beholden to a curriculum designed by the College Board.

[Anonymous]

It was a no brainer. The GDS head of school put it well. Their kids do quite well on the AP tests anyway and can continue to take them, but why conform the curriculum to the AP straitjacket format?

[Anonymous]

And the curriculum is expensive too..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had three families with kids at W schools call me to ask about the private my kid attends. All 3 said they were looking to switch because the pressure on kids to take so many AP classes wasn’t healthy in their opinion. AP classes can be fine but only in moderation and some area schools have done a terrible job counseling moderation to the kids.

BS. Why would they all call YOU if they don’t even know you well enough to know where your kids go to school?

Have you considered the possibility that all of the kids were in school together at one point? There are PLENTY of kids who switch from public to private.

[Anonymous]

Jay Matthews know about this? His AP for all metric will need some adjustments!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jay Matthews know about this? His AP for all metric will need some adjustments!

About time.

[Anonymous]

By dropping APs, that means that adjusted GPAs in private schools will also end, right? (As I recall, an AP A is a 5.0, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By dropping APs, that means that adjusted GPAs in private schools will also end, right? (As I recall, an AP A is a 5.0, etc.)

What? Most private schools around here do unweighted GPAs. My dd is at NCS - the top GPA is 4.0 only. It's the publics that have gone crazy with the grade inflation.

[Anonymous]

Right on with expense that the education industrial establishment has created. It is a scam!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Right on with expense that the education industrial establishment has created. It is a scam!

AP is most definitely a scam.

[Anonymous]

The privates just want more freedom to do what they want. Teach what they want. It doesn’t mean it’s necessarily better. I’m glad mine are out of HS and got credit for those freshmen classes. More time to concentrate on majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By dropping APs, that means that adjusted GPAs in private schools will also end, right? (As I recall, an AP A is a 5.0, etc.)

What? Most private schools around here do unweighted GPAs. My dd is at NCS - the top GPA is 4.0 only. It's the publics that have gone crazy with the grade inflation.

I’m PP with the GPA question . My DCs aren’t in the upper school yet so I didn’t know how GPAs work in private schools. Thanks for clarifying. Neighbors in our local public were describing the huge pressure for kids to take a a substantial load of AP classes to be competitive, with GPA as a big factor - not just perception of subject rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The privates just want more freedom to do what they want. Teach what they want. It doesn’t mean it’s necessarily better. I’m glad mine are out of HS and got credit for those freshmen classes. More time to concentrate on majors.

It is better. That’s why the best privates (ex: Andover) haven’t offered many APs in years.