How many freshman take AP Gov or History?

[Anonymous]

At Einstein college bound kids all take AP Gov and APUSH. I agree with your DD’s assessment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At Einstein college bound kids all take AP Gov and APUSH. I agree with your DD’s assessment.

That is not true. I'm an Einstein parent of two college-bound kids, and neither took APUSH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son at Einstein took AP US as a freshman. He got a 2 on the AP but that was during COVID and it was a weird online home test shortened to forty five minutes. He took AP govt the next year and got a 5

I wonder if they changed the history pathway. DD is a freshman at Einstein and is doing AP Gov this year, with the expectation of APUSH next year. This seems more reasonable to me from a workload standpoint, although I know some schools like the continuity of US History in 8th and 9th grades.

Yes, Einstein used to offer APUSH to 9th graders a few years back, but now it is for 10th graders who had AP Gov in 9th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son at Einstein took AP US as a freshman. He got a 2 on the AP but that was during COVID and it was a weird online home test shortened to forty five minutes. He took AP govt the next year and got a 5

I wonder if they changed the history pathway. DD is a freshman at Einstein and is doing AP Gov this year, with the expectation of APUSH next year. This seems more reasonable to me from a workload standpoint, although I know some schools like the continuity of US History in 8th and 9th grades.

They changed the pathway. I also have a senior at Einstein who took APUSH in 9th during Covid and failed the test but got an A in the class. It’s no longer offered in 9th. Seniors were the last group. She has had good AP scores since then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Einstein college bound kids all take AP Gov and APUSH. I agree with your DD’s assessment.

That is not true. I'm an Einstein parent of two college-bound kids, and neither took APUSH.

Well, a certain percentage of the competition has taken APUSH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our school, Kennedy, they push the "gifted" kids to take AP Gov in 9th grade and AP US History in 10th grade.

In my opinion, having just done through this with my son, I don't think kids should be taking AP courses in 9th grade, with probably a few exceptions here and there.

Most kids aren't ready for that kind of rigor or discipline and unfortunately, the lax attitudes of the pandemic from their middle school transition years really didn't prepare them for the reality check that comes with an AP course with regard to study habits and test taking intensity.

That being said, MCPS seems intent on cramming more and more kids on the advanced tracks sooner rather than later, even if the kids flounder and aren't ready. I assume this is because they think it makes them look good, but also because they have such liberal retake/reassessment policies that even if kids do struggle, they have multiple chances for do-overs, so in the end, they can still end up with a B or an A.

However, the truth lies in the AP exam scores, and if you look at the MCPS students taking these AP courses and the exam, a lot of kids are flopping with 1's or 2's on the exams, even though they've got a good classroom grade.

This right here. When your kid is getting an A in an AP course in MCPS and getting a 3 or lower on the test that gives them credit, well it looks pretty bad on the school and the student.

Some top colleges are only accepting 5's on exams now and most that kids that want to push themselves into only take 4's on the exams.

AP classes and honors classes count the same on a weighted scale. They shouldn't, but MCPS does anything for inflated grades.

No reason to take AP Gov and APUSH unless your child is intelligent enough to guarantee 4 and 5's on test.

This weighting is not unique to MCPS.

It absolutely is

Nationally and all privates:

Honors is a 0.5 bump
AP is a full 1.0 bump

Between that and MCPS 89.5 and a 79.5 = an A - there is no other county in the country with inflated grades like MCPS. Not to mention the 50% and constant retakes teachers allow.

Burden of proof is on you to
provide evidence for your rant of made up numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son at Einstein took AP US as a freshman. He got a 2 on the AP but that was during COVID and it was a weird online home test shortened to forty five minutes. He took AP govt the next year and got a 5

I wonder if they changed the history pathway. DD is a freshman at Einstein and is doing AP Gov this year, with the expectation of APUSH next year. This seems more reasonable to me from a workload standpoint, although I know some schools like the continuity of US History in 8th and 9th grades.

Yes, Einstein used to offer APUSH to 9th graders a few years back, but now it is for 10th graders who had AP Gov in 9th.

I heard this is the better way to do it. Govt in 9th and APUSH in 10th but Churchill does not allow it.

[Anonymous]

At Blair, APUSH is for the first time offered to 9th grader, who had to chose between Honor US history or APUSH. As what I can tell, quite a lot of SMACS kids chose APUSH together with Functions. They are going to be really tortured this upcoming year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many freshman at WJ take AP Gov.

All APEX kids at WJ take AP GOV in 9th because that's the track they are on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our school, Kennedy, they push the "gifted" kids to take AP Gov in 9th grade and AP US History in 10th grade.

In my opinion, having just done through this with my son, I don't think kids should be taking AP courses in 9th grade, with probably a few exceptions here and there.

Most kids aren't ready for that kind of rigor or discipline and unfortunately, the lax attitudes of the pandemic from their middle school transition years really didn't prepare them for the reality check that comes with an AP course with regard to study habits and test taking intensity.

That being said, MCPS seems intent on cramming more and more kids on the advanced tracks sooner rather than later, even if the kids flounder and aren't ready. I assume this is because they think it makes them look good, but also because they have such liberal retake/reassessment policies that even if kids do struggle, they have multiple chances for do-overs, so in the end, they can still end up with a B or an A.

However, the truth lies in the AP exam scores, and if you look at the MCPS students taking these AP courses and the exam, a lot of kids are flopping with 1's or 2's on the exams, even though they've got a good classroom grade.

This right here. When your kid is getting an A in an AP course in MCPS and getting a 3 or lower on the test that gives them credit, well it looks pretty bad on the school and the student.

Some top colleges are only accepting 5's on exams now and most that kids that want to push themselves into only take 4's on the exams.


AP classes and honors classes count the same on a weighted scale. They shouldn't, but MCPS does anything for inflated grades.

No reason to take AP Gov and APUSH unless your child is intelligent enough to guarantee 4 and 5's on test.

That's false information right there. Over 70% of MCPS kids got a score of 3 or higher in AP tests.

Well you never need to submit the score so don't see why that's a problem for admission. And no, "lots of kids" in MCPS are not flopping. In fact, MCPS is great at preparing kids for AP Exams imho compared to other public schools in the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At Blair, APUSH is for the first time offered to 9th grader, who had to chose between Honor US history or APUSH. As what I can tell, quite a lot of SMACS kids chose APUSH together with Functions. They are going to be really tortured this upcoming year.

Most 9th graders should not take APUSH. They are not ready. A couple years ago folks floated this idea of 9th graders taking APUSH, because they had just finished a year of US History in 8th. However, it doesn’t account for students needing to adjust to more rigorous curriculum of HS generally or the amount of time management and critical analysis required for APUSH always. It’s never been an easy class. It not something I would advise a kid to start with in HS unless they LOVE history and are really prepared to step up. Wait until sophomore or Junior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our school, Kennedy, they push the "gifted" kids to take AP Gov in 9th grade and AP US History in 10th grade.

In my opinion, having just done through this with my son, I don't think kids should be taking AP courses in 9th grade, with probably a few exceptions here and there.

Most kids aren't ready for that kind of rigor or discipline and unfortunately, the lax attitudes of the pandemic from their middle school transition years really didn't prepare them for the reality check that comes with an AP course with regard to study habits and test taking intensity.

That being said, MCPS seems intent on cramming more and more kids on the advanced tracks sooner rather than later, even if the kids flounder and aren't ready. I assume this is because they think it makes them look good, but also because they have such liberal retake/reassessment policies that even if kids do struggle, they have multiple chances for do-overs, so in the end, they can still end up with a B or an A.

However, the truth lies in the AP exam scores, and if you look at the MCPS students taking these AP courses and the exam, a lot of kids are flopping with 1's or 2's on the exams, even though they've got a good classroom grade.

This right here. When your kid is getting an A in an AP course in MCPS and getting a 3 or lower on the test that gives them credit, well it looks pretty bad on the school and the student.

Some top colleges are only accepting 5's on exams now and most that kids that want to push themselves into only take 4's on the exams.

AP classes and honors classes count the same on a weighted scale. They shouldn't, but MCPS does anything for inflated grades.

No reason to take AP Gov and APUSH unless your child is intelligent enough to guarantee 4 and 5's on test.

That's false information right there. Over 70% of MCPS kids got a score of 3 or higher in AP tests.

The overall rate for the school districts masks a lot.

At Kennedy, only 34 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams.

At Watkins Mill, only 32 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams.

At Seneca Valley, only 40 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams.

At Springbrook, only 36.5 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams.

The overall rate for the district is distorted by the W schools that have 80 percent or more of their kids scoring a 3 or higher, but that rate is in no way shape or form evenly dispersed throughout the county.

What is the percentage of 4 or more? Ever college my 2019 kid applied to, you needed a 4 or more to get credit.

Also the W schools have high percentages because they have tutors. Not better teachers

Most public universities (even some top ones) accept 3's on non-major and/or elective courses. It depends on the subject. For example, Berkeley accepts a 3 for AP Lang and APUSH. Michigan, UNC, UT Austin, UCLA accepts a 3 on AP Gov. Most public colleges accept 3's, e.g., W&M a 3 for AP English Lang; VT accepts a 3 for APUSH; UMD a 3 on AP Gov.

[Anonymous]

My kid was placed in honors US history last year as a freshman, now AP Gov as a sophomore. Looking back, I wish I'd pushed for AP Gov last year. Then again my kid learned a lot of interesting stuff in honors last year and had a good teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our school, Kennedy, they push the "gifted" kids to take AP Gov in 9th grade and AP US History in 10th grade.

In my opinion, having just done through this with my son, I don't think kids should be taking AP courses in 9th grade, with probably a few exceptions here and there.

Most kids aren't ready for that kind of rigor or discipline and unfortunately, the lax attitudes of the pandemic from their middle school transition years really didn't prepare them for the reality check that comes with an AP course with regard to study habits and test taking intensity.

That being said, MCPS seems intent on cramming more and more kids on the advanced tracks sooner rather than later, even if the kids flounder and aren't ready. I assume this is because they think it makes them look good, but also because they have such liberal retake/reassessment policies that even if kids do struggle, they have multiple chances for do-overs, so in the end, they can still end up with a B or an A.

However, the truth lies in the AP exam scores, and if you look at the MCPS students taking these AP courses and the exam, a lot of kids are flopping with 1's or 2's on the exams, even though they've got a good classroom grade.

This right here. When your kid is getting an A in an AP course in MCPS and getting a 3 or lower on the test that gives them credit, well it looks pretty bad on the school and the student.

Some top colleges are only accepting 5's on exams now and most that kids that want to push themselves into only take 4's on the exams.

AP classes and honors classes count the same on a weighted scale. They shouldn't, but MCPS does anything for inflated grades.

No reason to take AP Gov and APUSH unless your child is intelligent enough to guarantee 4 and 5's on test.

This weighting is not unique to MCPS.

It absolutely is

Nationally and all privates:

Honors is a 0.5 bump
AP is a full 1.0 bump

Between that and MCPS 89.5 and a 79.5 = an A - there is no other county in the country with inflated grades like MCPS. Not to mention the 50% and constant retakes teachers allow.

Burden of proof is on you to
provide evidence for your rant of made up numbers.

Or the person claiming it is not unique could also show proof that all school districts bump honors and AP classes the same.

I haven't found one other district in the area that counts honors and AP's the same, but for kicks and giggles.....

Every single local private school
Howard County
Fairfax County
Arlington County (slightly different but AP more than honors)
Loudoun County
PG County
DCPS
Frederick County

And almost all of the above have + and - GPA's to further distinguish the highest achievers.
And almost off of the above still have finals in their courses that count towards there final grade
And ALL of the above schools don't have the crazy chart that an A+B always equals an A for the semester grade
You get letter grades and they are divided by 2 for semester and 4 for final grade

So PLEASE stop with think what MCPS does is normal. It is a complete joke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our school, Kennedy, they push the "gifted" kids to take AP Gov in 9th grade and AP US History in 10th grade.

In my opinion, having just done through this with my son, I don't think kids should be taking AP courses in 9th grade, with probably a few exceptions here and there.

Most kids aren't ready for that kind of rigor or discipline and unfortunately, the lax attitudes of the pandemic from their middle school transition years really didn't prepare them for the reality check that comes with an AP course with regard to study habits and test taking intensity.

That being said, MCPS seems intent on cramming more and more kids on the advanced tracks sooner rather than later, even if the kids flounder and aren't ready. I assume this is because they think it makes them look good, but also because they have such liberal retake/reassessment policies that even if kids do struggle, they have multiple chances for do-overs, so in the end, they can still end up with a B or an A.

However, the truth lies in the AP exam scores, and if you look at the MCPS students taking these AP courses and the exam, a lot of kids are flopping with 1's or 2's on the exams, even though they've got a good classroom grade.

This right here. When your kid is getting an A in an AP course in MCPS and getting a 3 or lower on the test that gives them credit, well it looks pretty bad on the school and the student.

Some top colleges are only accepting 5's on exams now and most that kids that want to push themselves into only take 4's on the exams.

AP classes and honors classes count the same on a weighted scale. They shouldn't, but MCPS does anything for inflated grades.

No reason to take AP Gov and APUSH unless your child is intelligent enough to guarantee 4 and 5's on test.

That's false information right there. Over 70% of MCPS kids got a score of 3 or higher in AP tests.

The overall rate for the school districts masks a lot.

At Kennedy, only 34 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams.

At Watkins Mill, only 32 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams.

At Seneca Valley, only 40 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams.

At Springbrook, only 36.5 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams.

The overall rate for the district is distorted by the W schools that have 80 percent or more of their kids scoring a 3 or higher, but that rate is in no way shape or form evenly dispersed throughout the county.

No one cares about the kids that can't afford tutors, testing, and outside help. These numbers show exactly how good MCPS teachers with a BA from Towson can teach college courses. Newsflash: they can't. But these aren't the people on DCUM. It is the W parents and how much they work and push their kids