The linked article defines a current debate and dillemma among educators and student alike: In this current political push for schools to increase the number of AP students (the scores on the tests are not factored into AYP results) how many AP courses is enough and for whom are these courses best suited?
Read the article closely, then write one response to the article. Your response should raise questions, challenge the content, author or evidence, or qualify or verify the content. Your response should NOT summarize the article. The best posts support their opinions with personal or cited evidence.
Then check back later and reply to at least one other post by the end of the day FRIDAY.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/06/AR2007020600738.html
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8 comments:
I think that AP is not as big a deal as everyone says it is. I mean, yes, of course it's important. But you shouldn't HAVE to have a certain amount to get into college. A lot of people who want to go to college may not be ready for a college level course, until it's actually required. Everyone says that AP classes are made to prepare you for actual college. Prepare. Not "throw you into a college class." Preparing could be doing a few college worthy assignments, in a normal class. I just don't see the big deal about AP classes. I'm sure that if you do take them, they're very helpful when you need to get into college, but it should not be a necessity. When someone takes an advanced class, and gets an A, that should be enough (when it comes to colleges looking at grades anyway). But so many people say, "Well that person just wasn't challenged, they should be in AP." Yeah, if they want to be. AP might help some people prepare, but there should be other options too. AP is a choice that you make. If you want to take the class, great. Good luck to you. And if you don't, you should still be able to get into a decent college.
I believe that three or four AP courses is enough for people that can handle them. Students shouldn't take the courses if they can't even do their homework in regular classes. If a person has a favorite subject and they excel at it then they might want to consider taking an AP course. I think if students want to go to college then they might want to take an AP course to prepare you for college classes, I know the class isn't an actual college class, but it get you ready. What it all comes down to is do you want to go to college? Can you handle the workload?
I think that colleges shouldn't expect students to have too many AP classes. The push for more APs leads to more people being in the classes that don't have the mentality to handle them. One reason that I do pick more advanced classes is for that reason- smarter kids in the class. Another reason is that kids will start to take a total of 10 Aps and that makes them miss out on other parts of life. Would another AP class be worth losing out on experiences like playing a sport or having close friends? Also, those kids would make someone with four or five APs look no where near as good, maybe even like a slacker.
I agree with Wanda on the fact that too many AP classes can make you miss out on a lot of things, and that taking so many can make other people look not as good to different colleges. I didn't think about that.
I think AP classes are only "in the eye of the beholder". If you hate school you shouldnt take one. AP classes should not b such a big deal though. You cant push people to do things they dont want to do. But on the other hand you should not take to many, the work load wouldnt give you enough time do anything other than home work. So I think between 2 and 4 AP classes are enough.
i agree with raven, you shouldnt take an ap class if you cant turn in homework in other classes. Homework is a major part of AP classes and how are you going to pass if you dont do it?
I agree with Aggy. Aps definatly should not be required. Some people just aren't ready, like she said. I know I wasn't last year- that's why I didn't take Ap world history. She also said there should be other options. I agree with that too, like maybe our school could actually make "advanced classes" advanced. I also think that Mr. Holt should post blogs as well. lol
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