Increase in students taking AP classes

[gatordog]

The topic of incr of students (nationwide) taking "advanced" courses (not just formal AP as i understand) actually was discussed in an article I read last night (current issue of Harpers magazine ).

An interesting "other side of the coin" : Since 1992 there have been large numbers of HS students taking advanced classes and earning higher grades....yet 17 yr-old math and reading achievement scores are flat. (a possible indication of "grade inflation")

more from article: (Education academic) Chester Finn says "We've always done OK at the top....Now we are trying to expand the top." Many more students are taking Advanced Placement and other high-level courses. But Finn wonders, "Are we cheapening the currency?"

Article goes on to discuss how even at mid-level (not lower where it might be expected) colleges, many students with required-college prep courses still need remedial instruction in math and English. (example given California State Univ system, half of all entering freshmen need either remedial Eng or Math or both).

So what I understand this author to be saying is even though in last 15 years we have increase HS "advanced classes", we arent seeing results in terms of better prepared incoming college freshman, nor are we seeing results in HS student achievement tests.

A different take on this thread...just to throw out idea that schools saying "more students are taking advanced classes" doesnt necessarily translate to "better leaning".

(BTW, I am glad our district has such growning AP college credit opportunities)

[wvhsparent]

FWIW. My Daughter is Pre-Med at Marquette....They (Marquette) actually told her (I was there too) that even if she took AP Science type classes, they would rather her take the actual college class too otherwise she would be behind.

[momto4]

wvhsparent said:

FWIW. My Daughter is Pre-Med at Marquette....They (Marquette) actually told her (I was there too) that even if she took AP Science type classes, they would rather her take the actual college class too otherwise she would be behind.

I think most colleges prefer if you take the classes related to your major as their actual course offering at that school. For other required classes as far as I know many will accept AP depending on the scores.

[doctorwho]

wvhsparent said:

FWIW. My Daughter is Pre-Med at Marquette....They (Marquette) actually told her (I was there too) that even if she took AP Science type classes, they would rather her take the actual college class too otherwise she would be behind.

that is probably usually true - however most times those hours apply towards electives - for graduation.

[gatormom]

jenrik2714 said:

I wish they would encourage the LD students to take AP classes, so they can see what it is like to go to college because my daughter plans of going to college. Alot of LD kids are going to college too, instead of the school districts saying they can't do it, they should encourage them too. I know I will get alot of heat from members of this board for saying this, but this is my opinion

I agree with you jenrik. My son has ADHD and when I first met with his high school counselor about his 504 plan, she looked at me and said "not all our children are bound for college." They can and will discourage you as a parent. I, of course, set her straight.

He took two honor's classes as a freshman and one teacher all but told me that his 504 plan was my problem not his. We pulled him from that class as it became more and more apparent that the teacher was not going to work with the plan.

I wish he had been given the opportunity to take AP classes. He was quite able but was always encouraged to take the regular classes.

[jenrik2714]

It is like how do they know what your child is capable of without them even trying.

[wvhsparent]

Pardon my ignorance....What is a 504 plan?

I agree....As parents, we know our children, and their capablities better. It is up to us to insist on what we know as best for our kids. The teachers, etc. can make recommendations, but IMHO should not dictate to us.
If anyone here thinks their child can handle AP or other "advanced" courses...Demand them....I'll stand with you.

[gatormom]

wvhsparent said:

Pardon my ignorance....What is a 504 plan?

I agree....As parents, we know our children, and their capablities better. It is up to us to insist on what we know as best for our kids. The teachers, etc. can make recommendations, but IMHO should not dictate to us.
If anyone here thinks their child can handle AP or other "advanced" courses...Demand them....I'll stand with you.

Section 504 from the American Disabilities Act covers children with ADHD as having a disability. The 504 plan is used for these children. It provides classroom and school accommodations that help the child succeed. The plan itself should be a tool and not a crutch. As the child develops the tools to succeed in school, the plan is scaled back every year.

Children with an identified learning disorder have IEPs. A major difference between the two is funding. There is no funding for children on 504s.

Unfortunately too often, the counselors and teachers decide that it is kinder to steer our children into classes where they can easily succeed in instead of challenging them to reach their highest potential.

[wvhsparent]

I got it Thanks....
I guess I am not PC enough for some of this stuff.
I see the need to help the kids of all abilities. But I also feel there needs to be challenges...which include a failure or two. It seems to me that schools in general have made it so that there no such thing as "failure" anymore, Heaven forbid we knock on the psychie(sp) of little Johnny or Jane. IMHO Failures are part of the learning process, we just have to keep them small and infrequent.

[blankcheck]

I believe that in order to get into an honors or AP class, students must meet three criteria:
1) Teacher recommendation
2) Test scores
3) grades

If you feel that your child meets the standards for honors classes but the school does not agree, parents can sign a letter stating that they accept full responsibility for their child to be put in an honors class. Once there, they will not be able to go back down.

With my kids when they went to college, they were required to take placement exams no matter what classes they took. Their grade on that determined their placement in math etc. By taking AP classes, you are then eligible to take AP exams for a variety of subjects. If your child wants to take the tests, you are responsible for paying the cost of the test. Again, depending on the score they achieve and the criteria of the school which they will be attending, through the AP exam they can earn college credit (such as english) for that class therefore not having to repeat the same material in college.