As and Bs in AP course but 2s and 3s on tests

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

What private school? Not the case at my daughter's school. Grade inflation is more of a factor in public schools.

Can you cite a source for your uninformed opinion? Public schools have much more standardized testing to keep them honest, and far fewer highly demanding parents to bully teachers into giving their mediocre rich kids As.

This is not an opinion lol. It is a fact. And private schools are known for grade deflation, so maybe you need to do more research.

MCPS is a perfect example. One of the largest school systems in the country. This article from 2022 lays it out pretty clearly. And know that they haven't changed anything since then, but over the summer there has apparently been a rehaul to address the rampant inflation.

https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/online-exclusives/2022/12/06/high-schools-grading-system-should-it-be-changed/

Yes, that particular public school district has documented evidence of grade inflation that it is attempting to change by revamping its grading policy in the coming year. But you are saying that you have evidence that private schools have grade deflation relative to public schools? Please cite that evidence--because it just sounds like you're mouthing a bunch of stuff that people like to say because they're paying $40k a year plus for tuition, and not because you've actually seen data.

That "data" only exists in the made up land of "I believe it therefore it must be true" land of the DCUM private school board. There are plenty of crap privates in this area whose caliber of instruction is below that of the public schools, particularly for STEM subjects where they can't find qualified teachers for the lower salaries some privates pay teachers. My neighbor's kid at a Catholic school private is 2 years older than my kid and they were doing the same level math in elementary school.

Ooh, someone's been triggered lol.

Who cares what the Catholic school kid is doing in math. I am talking about high schools, and in particular the higher ranked high schools in the DMV. These schools don't inflate grades like public schools.

FWIW, my kid is taking AP Calc in 11th grade. Most take it in 12th. I personally don't see an issue with this mainly because this particular school tests kids before they place them in math (unlike public schools that just push them through with inflated grades). Kids in private schools are actually learning math vs. being awarded high grades in advanced classes they don't belong in.

This exactly. AP classes are strongly gatekept in private schools. Anyone can take an AP in public, which is why kids are getting poor AP scores even though they got As in the class.

There are more public schools, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

What private school? Not the case at my daughter's school. Grade inflation is more of a factor in public schools.

Can you cite a source for your uninformed opinion? Public schools have much more standardized testing to keep them honest, and far fewer highly demanding parents to bully teachers into giving their mediocre rich kids As.

This is not an opinion lol. It is a fact. And private schools are known for grade deflation, so maybe you need to do more research.

MCPS is a perfect example. One of the largest school systems in the country. This article from 2022 lays it out pretty clearly. And know that they haven't changed anything since then, but over the summer there has apparently been a rehaul to address the rampant inflation.

https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/online-exclusives/2022/12/06/high-schools-grading-system-should-it-be-changed/

Yes, that particular public school district has documented evidence of grade inflation that it is attempting to change by revamping its grading policy in the coming year. But you are saying that you have evidence that private schools have grade deflation relative to public schools? Please cite that evidence--because it just sounds like you're mouthing a bunch of stuff that people like to say because they're paying $40k a year plus for tuition, and not because you've actually seen data.

That "data" only exists in the made up land of "I believe it therefore it must be true" land of the DCUM private school board. There are plenty of crap privates in this area whose caliber of instruction is below that of the public schools, particularly for STEM subjects where they can't find qualified teachers for the lower salaries some privates pay teachers. My neighbor's kid at a Catholic school private is 2 years older than my kid and they were doing the same level math in elementary school.

Ooh, someone's been triggered lol.

Who cares what the Catholic school kid is doing in math. I am talking about high schools, and in particular the higher ranked high schools in the DMV. These schools don't inflate grades like public schools.

FWIW, my kid is taking AP Calc in 11th grade. Most take it in 12th. I personally don't see an issue with this mainly because this particular school tests kids before they place them in math (unlike public schools that just push them through with inflated grades). Kids in private schools are actually learning math vs. being awarded high grades in advanced classes they don't belong in.

This exactly. AP classes are strongly gatekept in private schools. Anyone can take an AP in public, which is why kids are getting poor AP scores even though they got As in the class.

There are more public schools, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

+1 85% of American school age children are in public school. The private school boosters on this thread are derailing it and making themselves look dumb by acting as if every private school student is receiving a superior education to every public school student. It's simply not the case (as a good education would teach you about the dangers of simplistic generalizations).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

I think that there are a lot of broad characterizations on this thread. My son went to an urban public school, struggled to get a C both semesters in AP Calculus AB, and got a 4 on the AP exam. I can only go on what my son told me and the median test scores, but it appears that only a third of the class got a B or better.

So, I'm not sure it is possible to easily discern common grading practices at either publics or privates.

[Anonymous]

Everyone on this thread sounds too defensive.

Not all public schools are equal. Many have grade inflation and are not rigorous. Some are very rigorous, have high competition, and are not grade inflation. There are no generalizations you can make by using the word "public school".

Not all private/independent schools are equal. Several are not rigorous and do have grade inflation. Others are extremely rigorous and screen applicants for admission in 9th grade and do not inflate grades. So you can't generalize across privates either.

It's better to use "grade-inflating schools" (combo of public and private) and "non-grade-inflating schools" (combo of public and private).

The very selective, highly sought and rigorous private and public high schools in the US (you will know if your kid is at one) do not inflate.

Getting 5s on AP tests put you at around the top 10-15ile of test-takers in the US, similar to getting a 1300 or above on the SAT.

If your student gets As on the AP class and only a 2-3 AP score on the AP test that was created for that course and you did in fact study and try, it's possible you're at a grade inflating school (could be publlic or private).

If your student gets A/A-/B+ on the AP class and 5 on the AP test, your school is probably grading them appropriately and it's not grade inflated (could be public or private).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on this thread sounds too defensive.

Not all public schools are equal. Many have grade inflation and are not rigorous. Some are very rigorous, have high competition, and are not grade inflation. There are no generalizations you can make by using the word "public school".

Not all private/independent schools are equal. Several are not rigorous and do have grade inflation. Others are extremely rigorous and screen applicants for admission in 9th grade and do not inflate grades. So you can't generalize across privates either.

It's better to use "grade-inflating schools" (combo of public and private) and "non-grade-inflating schools" (combo of public and private).

The very selective, highly sought and rigorous private and public high schools in the US (you will know if your kid is at one) do not inflate.

Getting 5s on AP tests put you at around the top 10-15ile of test-takers in the US, similar to getting a 1300 or above on the SAT.

If your student gets As on the AP class and only a 2-3 AP score on the AP test that was created for that course and you did in fact study and try, it's possible you're at a grade inflating school (could be publlic or private).

If your student gets A/A-/B+ on the AP class and 5 on the AP test, your school is probably grading them appropriately and it's not grade inflated (could be public or private).

Agreed. And that's why having the AP scores as an independent arbiter is so important to many colleges. Because as much as people like to think that their school is "known" for rigor, genius, grade inflation/deflation etc, the truth is that many admissions officers are reading through hundreds of files with just a few minutes for each applicant and have no idea about what most schools in the DMV are like, apart from a school summary that is sent.

[Anonymous]

My kid is at a T10. Got 3s and 4s on most AP exams. One 5. Did not submit them. But did submit the SAT since it was 99th percentile

[Anonymous]

My kids got all 5's and they got into their first choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

What private school? Not the case at my daughter's school. Grade inflation is more of a factor in public schools.

Can you cite a source for your uninformed opinion? Public schools have much more standardized testing to keep them honest, and far fewer highly demanding parents to bully teachers into giving their mediocre rich kids As.

This is not an opinion lol. It is a fact. And private schools are known for grade deflation, so maybe you need to do more research.

MCPS is a perfect example. One of the largest school systems in the country. This article from 2022 lays it out pretty clearly. And know that they haven't changed anything since then, but over the summer there has apparently been a rehaul to address the rampant inflation.

https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/online-exclusives/2022/12/06/high-schools-grading-system-should-it-be-changed/

Yes, that particular public school district has documented evidence of grade inflation that it is attempting to change by revamping its grading policy in the coming year. But you are saying that you have evidence that private schools have grade deflation relative to public schools? Please cite that evidence--because it just sounds like you're mouthing a bunch of stuff that people like to say because they're paying $40k a year plus for tuition, and not because you've actually seen data.

That "data" only exists in the made up land of "I believe it therefore it must be true" land of the DCUM private school board. There are plenty of crap privates in this area whose caliber of instruction is below that of the public schools, particularly for STEM subjects where they can't find qualified teachers for the lower salaries some privates pay teachers. My neighbor's kid at a Catholic school private is 2 years older than my kid and they were doing the same level math in elementary school.

Ooh, someone's been triggered lol.

Who cares what the Catholic school kid is doing in math. I am talking about high schools, and in particular the higher ranked high schools in the DMV. These schools don't inflate grades like public schools.

FWIW, my kid is taking AP Calc in 11th grade. Most take it in 12th. I personally don't see an issue with this mainly because this particular school tests kids before they place them in math (unlike public schools that just push them through with inflated grades). Kids in private schools are actually learning math vs. being awarded high grades in advanced classes they don't belong in.

I hate to break it to you but in the much maligned public schools, kids who are strong in math can take AP Calculus AB in 9th grade. The strongest can even take Calc BC. If you think that all these “poors” are getting 2s and 3s and don’t get 4s and 5s because public schools let “anyone” into these classes,?you’re in your own dreamworld where and should look at the school performance overviews that these schools publish that show distribution of AP scores by subject in a given year (public schools have far more transparency than private ones.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

What private school? Not the case at my daughter's school. Grade inflation is more of a factor in public schools.

Can you cite a source for your uninformed opinion? Public schools have much more standardized testing to keep them honest, and far fewer highly demanding parents to bully teachers into giving their mediocre rich kids As.

This is not an opinion lol. It is a fact. And private schools are known for grade deflation, so maybe you need to do more research.

MCPS is a perfect example. One of the largest school systems in the country. This article from 2022 lays it out pretty clearly. And know that they haven't changed anything since then, but over the summer there has apparently been a rehaul to address the rampant inflation.

https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/online-exclusives/2022/12/06/high-schools-grading-system-should-it-be-changed/

Yes, that particular public school district has documented evidence of grade inflation that it is attempting to change by revamping its grading policy in the coming year. But you are saying that you have evidence that private schools have grade deflation relative to public schools? Please cite that evidence--because it just sounds like you're mouthing a bunch of stuff that people like to say because they're paying $40k a year plus for tuition, and not because you've actually seen data.

That "data" only exists in the made up land of "I believe it therefore it must be true" land of the DCUM private school board. There are plenty of crap privates in this area whose caliber of instruction is below that of the public schools, particularly for STEM subjects where they can't find qualified teachers for the lower salaries some privates pay teachers. My neighbor's kid at a Catholic school private is 2 years older than my kid and they were doing the same level math in elementary school.

Ooh, someone's been triggered lol.

Who cares what the Catholic school kid is doing in math. I am talking about high schools, and in particular the higher ranked high schools in the DMV. These schools don't inflate grades like public schools.

FWIW, my kid is taking AP Calc in 11th grade. Most take it in 12th. I personally don't see an issue with this mainly because this particular school tests kids before they place them in math (unlike public schools that just push them through with inflated grades). Kids in private schools are actually learning math vs. being awarded high grades in advanced classes they don't belong in.

I hate to break it to you but in the much maligned public schools, kids who are strong in math can take AP Calculus AB in 9th grade. The strongest can even take Calc BC. If you think that all these “poors” are getting 2s and 3s and don’t get 4s and 5s because public schools let “anyone” into these classes,?you’re in your own dreamworld where and should look at the school performance overviews that these schools publish that show distribution of AP scores by subject in a given year (public schools have far more transparency than private ones.)

LOL of course there are strong students in public schools. But there are more who are not doing well on these AP tests. The ones who are pushed to take AP Calc in 9th or 10th who just weren't ready and others. They pushed these kids too fast in math, they shouldn't be in AP classes, and it shows in their test scores. At Churchill High School (top MCPS HS) in 2024, 49 students got 2s and 3s on the AP Calc exam (out of 114 total students). Hardly a stellar showing with an overall pass rate of 71%. At my daughter's private (an all girls school that tends to be stronger in language arts rather than math), the pass rate was 85.3%. Nobody got lower than a 3 with 13% getting 3s, 47% getting 4s, and 40% getting 5s.

Churchill stats for reference:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QqKmEAGlfD41sBatGKBsCb4NZK4g-swQ/view

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids got all 5's and they got into their first choices.

So the f*ck what. That doesn’t mean that was the reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

What private school? Not the case at my daughter's school. Grade inflation is more of a factor in public schools.

Can you cite a source for your uninformed opinion? Public schools have much more standardized testing to keep them honest, and far fewer highly demanding parents to bully teachers into giving their mediocre rich kids As.

This is not an opinion lol. It is a fact. And private schools are known for grade deflation, so maybe you need to do more research.

MCPS is a perfect example. One of the largest school systems in the country. This article from 2022 lays it out pretty clearly. And know that they haven't changed anything since then, but over the summer there has apparently been a rehaul to address the rampant inflation.

https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/online-exclusives/2022/12/06/high-schools-grading-system-should-it-be-changed/

Yes, that particular public school district has documented evidence of grade inflation that it is attempting to change by revamping its grading policy in the coming year. But you are saying that you have evidence that private schools have grade deflation relative to public schools? Please cite that evidence--because it just sounds like you're mouthing a bunch of stuff that people like to say because they're paying $40k a year plus for tuition, and not because you've actually seen data.

That "data" only exists in the made up land of "I believe it therefore it must be true" land of the DCUM private school board. There are plenty of crap privates in this area whose caliber of instruction is below that of the public schools, particularly for STEM subjects where they can't find qualified teachers for the lower salaries some privates pay teachers. My neighbor's kid at a Catholic school private is 2 years older than my kid and they were doing the same level math in elementary school.

Ooh, someone's been triggered lol.

Who cares what the Catholic school kid is doing in math. I am talking about high schools, and in particular the higher ranked high schools in the DMV. These schools don't inflate grades like public schools.

FWIW, my kid is taking AP Calc in 11th grade. Most take it in 12th. I personally don't see an issue with this mainly because this particular school tests kids before they place them in math (unlike public schools that just push them through with inflated grades). Kids in private schools are actually learning math vs. being awarded high grades in advanced classes they don't belong in.

It depends on the school, at ours its a mix of 10-12th gade. Bulk take it in 11th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

What private school? Not the case at my daughter's school. Grade inflation is more of a factor in public schools.

Can you cite a source for your uninformed opinion? Public schools have much more standardized testing to keep them honest, and far fewer highly demanding parents to bully teachers into giving their mediocre rich kids As.

This is not an opinion lol. It is a fact. And private schools are known for grade deflation, so maybe you need to do more research.

MCPS is a perfect example. One of the largest school systems in the country. This article from 2022 lays it out pretty clearly. And know that they haven't changed anything since then, but over the summer there has apparently been a rehaul to address the rampant inflation.

https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/online-exclusives/2022/12/06/high-schools-grading-system-should-it-be-changed/

Yes, that particular public school district has documented evidence of grade inflation that it is attempting to change by revamping its grading policy in the coming year. But you are saying that you have evidence that private schools have grade deflation relative to public schools? Please cite that evidence--because it just sounds like you're mouthing a bunch of stuff that people like to say because they're paying $40k a year plus for tuition, and not because you've actually seen data.

That "data" only exists in the made up land of "I believe it therefore it must be true" land of the DCUM private school board. There are plenty of crap privates in this area whose caliber of instruction is below that of the public schools, particularly for STEM subjects where they can't find qualified teachers for the lower salaries some privates pay teachers. My neighbor's kid at a Catholic school private is 2 years older than my kid and they were doing the same level math in elementary school.

Ooh, someone's been triggered lol.

Who cares what the Catholic school kid is doing in math. I am talking about high schools, and in particular the higher ranked high schools in the DMV. These schools don't inflate grades like public schools.

FWIW, my kid is taking AP Calc in 11th grade. Most take it in 12th. I personally don't see an issue with this mainly because this particular school tests kids before they place them in math (unlike public schools that just push them through with inflated grades). Kids in private schools are actually learning math vs. being awarded high grades in advanced classes they don't belong in.

I hate to break it to you but in the much maligned public schools, kids who are strong in math can take AP Calculus AB in 9th grade. The strongest can even take Calc BC. If you think that all these “poors” are getting 2s and 3s and don’t get 4s and 5s because public schools let “anyone” into these classes,?you’re in your own dreamworld where and should look at the school performance overviews that these schools publish that show distribution of AP scores by subject in a given year (public schools have far more transparency than private ones.)

LOL of course there are strong students in public schools. But there are more who are not doing well on these AP tests. The ones who are pushed to take AP Calc in 9th or 10th who just weren't ready and others. They pushed these kids too fast in math, they shouldn't be in AP classes, and it shows in their test scores. At Churchill High School (top MCPS HS) in 2024, 49 students got 2s and 3s on the AP Calc exam (out of 114 total students). Hardly a stellar showing with an overall pass rate of 71%. At my daughter's private (an all girls school that tends to be stronger in language arts rather than math), the pass rate was 85.3%. Nobody got lower than a 3 with 13% getting 3s, 47% getting 4s, and 40% getting 5s.

Churchill stats for reference:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QqKmEAGlfD41sBatGKBsCb4NZK4g-swQ/view

Math is not well taught in MCPS. For Calc, we got random worksheets pulled off an internet site. No textbook, no formal teaching and it was extremely hard to learn that way. I know a bunch of kids who are smart capable kids who didn't do great on the AP Calc test this year. They should be in AP classes, but the teaching style and curriculum needs to change.

Your private also has much smaller classes, fewer kids who take AP classes and many of those kids have tutors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

What private school? Not the case at my daughter's school. Grade inflation is more of a factor in public schools.

Can you cite a source for your uninformed opinion? Public schools have much more standardized testing to keep them honest, and far fewer highly demanding parents to bully teachers into giving their mediocre rich kids As.

This is not an opinion lol. It is a fact. And private schools are known for grade deflation, so maybe you need to do more research.

MCPS is a perfect example. One of the largest school systems in the country. This article from 2022 lays it out pretty clearly. And know that they haven't changed anything since then, but over the summer there has apparently been a rehaul to address the rampant inflation.

https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/online-exclusives/2022/12/06/high-schools-grading-system-should-it-be-changed/

Yes, that particular public school district has documented evidence of grade inflation that it is attempting to change by revamping its grading policy in the coming year. But you are saying that you have evidence that private schools have grade deflation relative to public schools? Please cite that evidence--because it just sounds like you're mouthing a bunch of stuff that people like to say because they're paying $40k a year plus for tuition, and not because you've actually seen data.

That "data" only exists in the made up land of "I believe it therefore it must be true" land of the DCUM private school board. There are plenty of crap privates in this area whose caliber of instruction is below that of the public schools, particularly for STEM subjects where they can't find qualified teachers for the lower salaries some privates pay teachers. My neighbor's kid at a Catholic school private is 2 years older than my kid and they were doing the same level math in elementary school.

Ooh, someone's been triggered lol.

Who cares what the Catholic school kid is doing in math. I am talking about high schools, and in particular the higher ranked high schools in the DMV. These schools don't inflate grades like public schools.

FWIW, my kid is taking AP Calc in 11th grade. Most take it in 12th. I personally don't see an issue with this mainly because this particular school tests kids before they place them in math (unlike public schools that just push them through with inflated grades). Kids in private schools are actually learning math vs. being awarded high grades in advanced classes they don't belong in.

I hate to break it to you but in the much maligned public schools, kids who are strong in math can take AP Calculus AB in 9th grade. The strongest can even take Calc BC. If you think that all these “poors” are getting 2s and 3s and don’t get 4s and 5s because public schools let “anyone” into these classes,?you’re in your own dreamworld where and should look at the school performance overviews that these schools publish that show distribution of AP scores by subject in a given year (public schools have far more transparency than private ones.)

Kids can also just have a bad day or be sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think most elite colleges would assume your kid did poorly if scores aren’t reported. Otherwise why not report them? There’s so much grade inflation that AP scores and other standardized tests are the only legit ways to compare kids.

My kid had 10 APs, but only took 3 of the tests. The tests are too expensive and our school does not cover them. Reported the 3 tests that she took and got into a t10

If you can’t afford 10 AP tests, how can you afford college at all?

And, if they are in private school makes less sense. AP Board has low income waivers so if it was a money issue you could apply for financial help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would the scores be so low? Something doesn't add up here.

If you took the AP course and paid attention that should be an automatic 4 without studying.

Massive grade inflation. I know schools where AP courses aren't at all rigorous.

Teacher here. My colleagues and I would never be allowed to give lower than a B- for AP classes, and if the student has "important parents", that student will have As.

This means that a student getting an A or B in an AP course at my school might get a 4 or 5 on the exam, or they might get a 1 or 2.

I am sure college admissions are aware. Grade inflation is extremely common in private schools.

What private school? Not the case at my daughter's school. Grade inflation is more of a factor in public schools.

Can you cite a source for your uninformed opinion? Public schools have much more standardized testing to keep them honest, and far fewer highly demanding parents to bully teachers into giving their mediocre rich kids As.

This is not an opinion lol. It is a fact. And private schools are known for grade deflation, so maybe you need to do more research.

MCPS is a perfect example. One of the largest school systems in the country. This article from 2022 lays it out pretty clearly. And know that they haven't changed anything since then, but over the summer there has apparently been a rehaul to address the rampant inflation.

https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/online-exclusives/2022/12/06/high-schools-grading-system-should-it-be-changed/

Yes, that particular public school district has documented evidence of grade inflation that it is attempting to change by revamping its grading policy in the coming year. But you are saying that you have evidence that private schools have grade deflation relative to public schools? Please cite that evidence--because it just sounds like you're mouthing a bunch of stuff that people like to say because they're paying $40k a year plus for tuition, and not because you've actually seen data.

That "data" only exists in the made up land of "I believe it therefore it must be true" land of the DCUM private school board. There are plenty of crap privates in this area whose caliber of instruction is below that of the public schools, particularly for STEM subjects where they can't find qualified teachers for the lower salaries some privates pay teachers. My neighbor's kid at a Catholic school private is 2 years older than my kid and they were doing the same level math in elementary school.

Ooh, someone's been triggered lol.

Who cares what the Catholic school kid is doing in math. I am talking about high schools, and in particular the higher ranked high schools in the DMV. These schools don't inflate grades like public schools.

FWIW, my kid is taking AP Calc in 11th grade. Most take it in 12th. I personally don't see an issue with this mainly because this particular school tests kids before they place them in math (unlike public schools that just push them through with inflated grades). Kids in private schools are actually learning math vs. being awarded high grades in advanced classes they don't belong in.

I hate to break it to you but in the much maligned public schools, kids who are strong in math can take AP Calculus AB in 9th grade. The strongest can even take Calc BC. If you think that all these “poors” are getting 2s and 3s and don’t get 4s and 5s because public schools let “anyone” into these classes,?you’re in your own dreamworld where and should look at the school performance overviews that these schools publish that show distribution of AP scores by subject in a given year (public schools have far more transparency than private ones.)

LOL of course there are strong students in public schools. But there are more who are not doing well on these AP tests. The ones who are pushed to take AP Calc in 9th or 10th who just weren't ready and others. They pushed these kids too fast in math, they shouldn't be in AP classes, and it shows in their test scores. At Churchill High School (top MCPS HS) in 2024, 49 students got 2s and 3s on the AP Calc exam (out of 114 total students). Hardly a stellar showing with an overall pass rate of 71%. At my daughter's private (an all girls school that tends to be stronger in language arts rather than math), the pass rate was 85.3%. Nobody got lower than a 3 with 13% getting 3s, 47% getting 4s, and 40% getting 5s.

Churchill stats for reference:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QqKmEAGlfD41sBatGKBsCb4NZK4g-swQ/view

Math is not well taught in MCPS. For Calc, we got random worksheets pulled off an internet site. No textbook, no formal teaching and it was extremely hard to learn that way. I know a bunch of kids who are smart capable kids who didn't do great on the AP Calc test this year. They should be in AP classes, but the teaching style and curriculum needs to change.

Your private also has much smaller classes, fewer kids who take AP classes and many of those kids have tutors.

PP here and tell that to the other PP who claims that public schools outperform private schools in math and that private schools can't recruit good stem teachers because of the low salaries. LOL. Read the thread.