Reply to New Budget Recommendations -- eliminate AAP busing and centers

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Reply to "New Budget Recommendations -- eliminate AAP busing and centers"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The schools used to require certain grades in honors and teacher recommendations to be eligible to take AP classes. Many people would argue that that was a better system, because the classes were filled with kids who actually wanted to and could do the work. The only reason they dropped the pre-reqs was to increase their standings in the Washington Post high school rankings.
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Many people would argue that the system as it stands today is far better.  AP and Honors classes are still filled with kids able, eager, and enthusiastic to do the work.  The difference is, the classes are open to far more students than they used to be.  The curriculum and instruction is still the same - AP curriculum is standardized throughout the U.S. and the exams are all the same.

Of course, there will always be the disgruntled parents who feel that these classes should only be reserved for certain kids, as they currently are in elementary and middle school.  Thankfully, high school is when those parents stop getting their way.[/quote]

AP courses are supposed to be college level courses that prepare students to do well on a college level exam. Most schools used to require that students be ready for college level coursework to take AP classes. Then Jay Mathews started ranking schools on how many kids took AP classes and all requirements were dropped so that schools could attain a higher rank by simply allowing and encouraging any and all kids to take AP courses.

When half students in the class  are not prepared for the level and pace of instruction in the class, it is frustrating for the teacher and for the students who are ready.  AP courses are not what they used to be: many colleges have reduced the amount and type of credit and/or placement they will allow for AP courses. Colleges are recognizing that AP courses are not truly college level courses anymore. 
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I have a college freshman and a HS Junior and their experiences in the Honors and AP classes is that the vast majority of the class is ready, eager and willing to do the work, there will always be a few slackers (even in a test in program).  They have had a very positive experience.  The college freshman was granted enough credits to be considered a sophomore and they filled all but one of his non-major course requirements and one year of calculus.  He has also found himself to be very well prepared.  [/quote]

+100
One of my children is a junior in HS and the other a sophomore in college.  Their experiences have been exactly as you described - AP and Honors classes full of kids eager and capable of doing college level work.  My college student was also able to fulfill many of his required classes due to AP credits.  In no way have these classes been watered down as PP claims.  I think that's just the sour grapes of a parent used to having his or her child in "exclusive" AAP classes, and realizing high school doesn't work like that anymore.  I don't know what high school PP is referring to, but at our school, there is no way "half the class" is unprepared for AP level work.  [/quote]

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