Comparing non magnet AP classes at Blair with AP at other mcps HSs

[Anonymous]

Are AP courses at non magnet Blair the same as in any other high school?

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't they be? The kids take the same AP test at the end.

[Anonymous]

I asked because someone I know whose kid did AP classes in non magnet Blair ranted and ranted that non Blair AP is higher standard than any other AP in MCPS, the grading is different too, much more conservative than any other AP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked because someone I know whose kid did AP classes in non magnet Blair ranted and ranted that non Blair AP is higher standard than any other AP in MCPS, the grading is different too, much more conservative than any other AP.

No, OP. They are not different. It is fair to say, however, different teachers have different teaching style - not better or worse but just different. All MCPS schools follow the same grading protocols.

[Anonymous]

Thx both PPs. This helps as to know for someone who has choice if doing AP at home school or Blair through lottery

[Anonymous]

Peer group may affect AP class experience. It may be that have magnet programs at Blair in math/sci and CAP may provide a larger pool of smart, motivated student that improves the class discussion level of AP and allows the teacher to "grade harder". In the end though, the basic course and end test is the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked because someone I know whose kid did AP classes in non magnet Blair ranted and ranted that non Blair AP is higher standard than any other AP in MCPS, the grading is different too, much more conservative than any other AP.

No, OP. They are not different. It is fair to say, however, different teachers have different teaching style - not better or worse but just different. All MCPS schools follow the same grading protocols.

This. The AP tests are standardized, so teachers across the county have to teach pretty much the same curriculum. Some are good at it, and others not so much.

Now the magnet classes are another thing. For example, magnet Stats is basically most of AP Stats, but smooshed into one semester not two. Many magnet kids study in their own in the spring and the AP test.

[Anonymous]

I don't know anything about Blair AP classes but I can tell you that in other MCPS clusters which are "teaching the same course for the same test" the report card grades can be scaled at the end of the quarter. Now if someone could prove that Blair never had to do that because they have the CAP and SMAC, that could be seen as "harder". My guess is that if someone looks hard enough they could find data for Blair and other clusters on the number kids who take and what scores they get in a specific AP subject.

[Anonymous]

Why can they scale the grades at the end of the quarter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked because someone I know whose kid did AP classes in non magnet Blair ranted and ranted that non Blair AP is higher standard than any other AP in MCPS, the grading is different too, much more conservative than any other AP.

No, OP. They are not different. It is fair to say, however, different teachers have different teaching style - not better or worse but just different. All MCPS schools follow the same grading protocols.

This. The AP tests are standardized, so teachers across the county have to teach pretty much the same curriculum. Some are good at it, and others not so much.

Now the magnet classes are another thing. For example, magnet Stats is basically most of AP Stats, but smooshed into one semester not two. Many magnet kids study in their own in the spring and the AP test.

Is that really fair then? If the magnet kids are studying on their own then that means that they have a good support system at home. What about those kids who are lacking this support?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked because someone I know whose kid did AP classes in non magnet Blair ranted and ranted that non Blair AP is higher standard than any other AP in MCPS, the grading is different too, much more conservative than any other AP.

No, OP. They are not different. It is fair to say, however, different teachers have different teaching style - not better or worse but just different. All MCPS schools follow the same grading protocols.

This. The AP tests are standardized, so teachers across the county have to teach pretty much the same curriculum. Some are good at it, and others not so much.

Now the magnet classes are another thing. For example, magnet Stats is basically most of AP Stats, but smooshed into one semester not two. Many magnet kids study in their own in the spring and the AP test.

Is that really fair then? If the magnet kids are studying on their own then that means that they have a good support system at home. What about those kids who are lacking this support?

Pretty much all AP students are expected to do some studying on their own. At that level, supposedly mimicking college, they should not be relying their parents to help beyond possibly buying a book or two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked because someone I know whose kid did AP classes in non magnet Blair ranted and ranted that non Blair AP is higher standard than any other AP in MCPS, the grading is different too, much more conservative than any other AP.

No, OP. They are not different. It is fair to say, however, different teachers have different teaching style - not better or worse but just different. All MCPS schools follow the same grading protocols.

This. The AP tests are standardized, so teachers across the county have to teach pretty much the same curriculum. Some are good at it, and others not so much.

Now the magnet classes are another thing. For example, magnet Stats is basically most of AP Stats, but smooshed into one semester not two. Many magnet kids study in their own in the spring and the AP test.

Is that really fair then? If the magnet kids are studying on their own then that means that they have a good support system at home. What about those kids who are lacking this support?

What do you mean? Do you think we should tell magnet kids they cannot study on their own? No good support system at home is allowed??