Talk to me about your HS students experience with different AP courses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dd is currently taking APUSH in 9th grade. Since she has never had a textbook or needed to take notes in MCPS, she is struggling a lot. Its a tough class. Even I struggle helping her!

Hmmm...It seems they would have benefited by beginning to self-study the summer before. No?

Please stop embarrassing yourself, PP. I get that one poster hurt your feeling but your defensive responses to everyone are ridiculous. Please stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS has done 7 AP classes, including 4 now during his senior year. We're not big fans of the classes. The teaching is geared entirely to helping the kids do well on the AP test itself, which are multiple choice and short answer essays. It blows my mind that my kid will graduate HS without ever having written a real research paper despite taking multiple AP history and government classes, that he read only one book in AP Lang, that AP Stats tests are all multiple choice (so no partial credit for work.)

We have a younger kid and may send him to private - since most of the higher tier DC privates don't do AP tests because of the test-focused curriculum. Or we'll have him do the IB curriculum at his public HS.

I'm a big fan of the IB curriculum, which entails lots of research and analytical writing across the curriculum. Not a fan of AP.
--Professor who finds freshmen receiving AP credit woefully unprepared for college-level work in that subject.

Yes, dear, we all would prefer an IB curriculum or, better yet, the education they could get at Sidwell or Georgetown or Andover! But those are simply not options for our smart kids and AP is all the high school offers. But thanks for telling us our kids are going to be unprepared for college! That’s a huge help!

I'm the first PP here, and I'm grateful to the professor PP for validating the concern about test-centric AP curricula. And to others on this thread who've pointed out that this is a function of teacher choice, and that some AP classes are taught differently. We're lucky to be in a school zone with a full IB program at the HS level so I'm hopeful that route may be better for kid #2.

Snarky PP, I get your angst but wouldn't you rather know in advance that HS may not have fully prepared your kids for college?

[Anonymous]

What about AP Human Geography? Any information about that course?

[Anonymous]

My 10th grader is really enjoying AP Human Geo. DC is a humanities kid interested in government, economics, policy and environment so the material is in line with possible majors in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS has done 7 AP classes, including 4 now during his senior year. We're not big fans of the classes. The teaching is geared entirely to helping the kids do well on the AP test itself, which are multiple choice and short answer essays. It blows my mind that my kid will graduate HS without ever having written a real research paper despite taking multiple AP history and government classes, that he read only one book in AP Lang, that AP Stats tests are all multiple choice (so no partial credit for work.)

We have a younger kid and may send him to private - since most of the higher tier DC privates don't do AP tests because of the test-focused curriculum. Or we'll have him do the IB curriculum at his public HS.

I'm a big fan of the IB curriculum, which entails lots of research and analytical writing across the curriculum. Not a fan of AP.
--Professor who finds freshmen receiving AP credit woefully unprepared for college-level work in that subject.

Yes, dear, we all would prefer an IB curriculum or, better yet, the education they could get at Sidwell or Georgetown or Andover! But those are simply not options for our smart kids and AP is all the high school offers. But thanks for telling us our kids are going to be unprepared for college! That’s a huge help!

I'm the first PP here, and I'm grateful to the professor PP for validating the concern about test-centric AP curricula. And to others on this thread who've pointed out that this is a function of teacher choice, and that some AP classes are taught differently. We're lucky to be in a school zone with a full IB program at the HS level so I'm hopeful that route may be better for kid #2.

Snarky PP, I get your angst but wouldn't you rather know in advance that HS may not have fully prepared your kids for college?

Agree, it stands to reason that "advanced" courses that do not include substantive research and writing will not well prepare kids for college work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS has done 7 AP classes, including 4 now during his senior year. We're not big fans of the classes. The teaching is geared entirely to helping the kids do well on the AP test itself, which are multiple choice and short answer essays. It blows my mind that my kid will graduate HS without ever having written a real research paper despite taking multiple AP history and government classes, that he read only one book in AP Lang, that AP Stats tests are all multiple choice (so no partial credit for work.)

We have a younger kid and may send him to private - since most of the higher tier DC privates don't do AP tests because of the test-focused curriculum. Or we'll have him do the IB curriculum at his public HS.

I'm a big fan of the IB curriculum, which entails lots of research and analytical writing across the curriculum. Not a fan of AP.
--Professor who finds freshmen receiving AP credit woefully unprepared for college-level work in that subject.

Yes, dear, we all would prefer an IB curriculum or, better yet, the education they could get at Sidwell or Georgetown or Andover! But those are simply not options for our smart kids and AP is all the high school offers. But thanks for telling us our kids are going to be unprepared for college! That’s a huge help!

I'm the first PP here, and I'm grateful to the professor PP for validating the concern about test-centric AP curricula. And to others on this thread who've pointed out that this is a function of teacher choice, and that some AP classes are taught differently. We're lucky to be in a school zone with a full IB program at the HS level so I'm hopeful that route may be better for kid #2.

Snarky PP, I get your angst but wouldn't you rather know in advance that HS may not have fully prepared your kids for college?

Agree, it stands to reason that "advanced" courses that do not include substantive research and writing will not well prepare kids for college work!

Interesting. All my friends with college kids have not related this experience. In fact, they've stated the opposite. FCPS kids seem to be rock stars compared to a lot of other areas. Plus, many of them have not had to take the basic "101" classes due to AP exams. I have no experience with this, yet. But, that is the scuttlebutt at my NOVA school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS has done 7 AP classes, including 4 now during his senior year. We're not big fans of the classes. The teaching is geared entirely to helping the kids do well on the AP test itself, which are multiple choice and short answer essays. It blows my mind that my kid will graduate HS without ever having written a real research paper despite taking multiple AP history and government classes, that he read only one book in AP Lang, that AP Stats tests are all multiple choice (so no partial credit for work.)

We have a younger kid and may send him to private - since most of the higher tier DC privates don't do AP tests because of the test-focused curriculum. Or we'll have him do the IB curriculum at his public HS.

I'm a big fan of the IB curriculum, which entails lots of research and analytical writing across the curriculum. Not a fan of AP.
--Professor who finds freshmen receiving AP credit woefully unprepared for college-level work in that subject.

Yes, dear, we all would prefer an IB curriculum or, better yet, the education they could get at Sidwell or Georgetown or Andover! But those are simply not options for our smart kids and AP is all the high school offers. But thanks for telling us our kids are going to be unprepared for college! That’s a huge help!

I'm the first PP here, and I'm grateful to the professor PP for validating the concern about test-centric AP curricula. And to others on this thread who've pointed out that this is a function of teacher choice, and that some AP classes are taught differently. We're lucky to be in a school zone with a full IB program at the HS level so I'm hopeful that route may be better for kid #2.

Snarky PP, I get your angst but wouldn't you rather know in advance that HS may not have fully prepared your kids for college?

Why? So we can sell move to another school district? This is one person’s opinion. NP here and the thread is about AP classes and not “what is better than AP classes”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS has done 7 AP classes, including 4 now during his senior year. We're not big fans of the classes. The teaching is geared entirely to helping the kids do well on the AP test itself, which are multiple choice and short answer essays. It blows my mind that my kid will graduate HS without ever having written a real research paper despite taking multiple AP history and government classes, that he read only one book in AP Lang, that AP Stats tests are all multiple choice (so no partial credit for work.)

We have a younger kid and may send him to private - since most of the higher tier DC privates don't do AP tests because of the test-focused curriculum. Or we'll have him do the IB curriculum at his public HS.

I'm a big fan of the IB curriculum, which entails lots of research and analytical writing across the curriculum. Not a fan of AP.
--Professor who finds freshmen receiving AP credit woefully unprepared for college-level work in that subject.

Yes, dear, we all would prefer an IB curriculum or, better yet, the education they could get at Sidwell or Georgetown or Andover! But those are simply not options for our smart kids and AP is all the high school offers. But thanks for telling us our kids are going to be unprepared for college! That’s a huge help!

I'm the first PP here, and I'm grateful to the professor PP for validating the concern about test-centric AP curricula. And to others on this thread who've pointed out that this is a function of teacher choice, and that some AP classes are taught differently. We're lucky to be in a school zone with a full IB program at the HS level so I'm hopeful that route may be better for kid #2.

Snarky PP, I get your angst but wouldn't you rather know in advance that HS may not have fully prepared your kids for college?

Agree, it stands to reason that "advanced" courses that do not include substantive research and writing will not well prepare kids for college work!

Why do you guys think AP classes don’t include substantive research and writing? My kid is on his second History AP and is required to do extensive research and write test essays as well as a term paper every semester. AP’s vary in methods based on the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS has done 7 AP classes, including 4 now during his senior year. We're not big fans of the classes. The teaching is geared entirely to helping the kids do well on the AP test itself, which are multiple choice and short answer essays. It blows my mind that my kid will graduate HS without ever having written a real research paper despite taking multiple AP history and government classes, that he read only one book in AP Lang, that AP Stats tests are all multiple choice (so no partial credit for work.)

We have a younger kid and may send him to private - since most of the higher tier DC privates don't do AP tests because of the test-focused curriculum. Or we'll have him do the IB curriculum at his public HS.

I'm a big fan of the IB curriculum, which entails lots of research and analytical writing across the curriculum. Not a fan of AP.
--Professor who finds freshmen receiving AP credit woefully unprepared for college-level work in that subject.

Yes, dear, we all would prefer an IB curriculum or, better yet, the education they could get at Sidwell or Georgetown or Andover! But those are simply not options for our smart kids and AP is all the high school offers. But thanks for telling us our kids are going to be unprepared for college! That’s a huge help!

I'm the first PP here, and I'm grateful to the professor PP for validating the concern about test-centric AP curricula. And to others on this thread who've pointed out that this is a function of teacher choice, and that some AP classes are taught differently. We're lucky to be in a school zone with a full IB program at the HS level so I'm hopeful that route may be better for kid #2.

Snarky PP, I get your angst but wouldn't you rather know in advance that HS may not have fully prepared your kids for college?

Agree, it stands to reason that "advanced" courses that do not include substantive research and writing will not well prepare kids for college work!

Maybe things have changed a lot. It has been 15 years since I was in college. I was an electrical engineering major and never had to write a paper or do extensive research and writing. I graduated summa cum laude. I THEN went on to law school where I wrote and wrote and wrote. Had no issues. Was never "not well" prepared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about AP Human Geography? Any information about that course?

my DS took this as a senior as it hadn't been offered before but he loved it. A+ and a 5 on the AP exam. Course, again he was a senior.

[Anonymous]

Between my two kids, they took the following courses and some tests:

AP Bio - As in the class, did not take the exam as it was supposedly very hard and they did not want to take it for other reasons as well.

AP Psych, my DD thought this was a tough class because it covered so much and nothing in detail. Got a B+ in the class (only B other than AP Calc) and a 4 on the exam.

AP Gov, Comparative, World History, APUSH, all easy, A and A+. 4s and 5s on the exams.

AP Calc AB - my kids are not math people and this was hard for them. Was also during distance learning and they had a terrible teacher. Got them a tutor. Both I think got B+ and my DS took the exam and got a 4. My DD didn't take it.

AP Lang and Lit - both considered easy, 4s and 5s on exam

AP Human Geo - easiest, A+ and 5 on exam

AP Spanish - class not too tough, A+ but the exam was tough, only got a 3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Between my two kids, they took the following courses and some tests:

AP Bio - As in the class, did not take the exam as it was supposedly very hard and they did not want to take it for other reasons as well.

AP Psych, my DD thought this was a tough class because it covered so much and nothing in detail. Got a B+ in the class (only B other than AP Calc) and a 4 on the exam.

AP Gov, Comparative, World History, APUSH, all easy, A and A+. 4s and 5s on the exams.

AP Calc AB - my kids are not math people and this was hard for them. Was also during distance learning and they had a terrible teacher. Got them a tutor. Both I think got B+ and my DS took the exam and got a 4. My DD didn't take it.

AP Lang and Lit - both considered easy, 4s and 5s on exam

AP Human Geo - easiest, A+ and 5 on exam

AP Spanish - class not too tough, A+ but the exam was tough, only got a 3

Was there a lot of writing to do in AP Psych or just a lot of memorization of a lot of information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Between my two kids, they took the following courses and some tests:

AP Bio - As in the class, did not take the exam as it was supposedly very hard and they did not want to take it for other reasons as well.

AP Psych, my DD thought this was a tough class because it covered so much and nothing in detail. Got a B+ in the class (only B other than AP Calc) and a 4 on the exam.

AP Gov, Comparative, World History, APUSH, all easy, A and A+. 4s and 5s on the exams.

AP Calc AB - my kids are not math people and this was hard for them. Was also during distance learning and they had a terrible teacher. Got them a tutor. Both I think got B+ and my DS took the exam and got a 4. My DD didn't take it.

AP Lang and Lit - both considered easy, 4s and 5s on exam

AP Human Geo - easiest, A+ and 5 on exam

AP Spanish - class not too tough, A+ but the exam was tough, only got a 3

Was there a lot of writing to do in AP Psych or just a lot of memorization of a lot of information?

Not a lot of writing just the tests covered so much that she found it hard to know what to study.

[Anonymous]

Tangential question: anyone with IB diploma students who took the AP exams related to their IB courses?

My DD’s IB program allows/encourages this, but I’m wondering how successful kids usually are if they haven’t taken classes specifically geared toward the AP exams. My DD is only a freshman, but my impression (bolstered by the discussion here) is that there’s a distinct difference between the aims and methods of the two programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Between my two kids, they took the following courses and some tests:

AP Bio - As in the class, did not take the exam as it was supposedly very hard and they did not want to take it for other reasons as well.

AP Psych, my DD thought this was a tough class because it covered so much and nothing in detail. Got a B+ in the class (only B other than AP Calc) and a 4 on the exam.

AP Gov, Comparative, World History, APUSH, all easy, A and A+. 4s and 5s on the exams.

AP Calc AB - my kids are not math people and this was hard for them. Was also during distance learning and they had a terrible teacher. Got them a tutor. Both I think got B+ and my DS took the exam and got a 4. My DD didn't take it.

AP Lang and Lit - both considered easy, 4s and 5s on exam

AP Human Geo - easiest, A+ and 5 on exam

AP Spanish - class not too tough, A+ but the exam was tough, only got a 3

That's a lot of A+ grades. Your kids definitely don't go to my kids' school!