Interesting article on a recent book published by Harvard Education Press. There are some interesting views on the value of AP courses and the dangers of "teaching to the test"
It presents some good insights. I'm intersted in your thoughts as "near" alums of the first AP class at BHS.
I will have to say, in the larger scheme of things, one AP course is not going to help ALL students graduate from college faster and more inexpensively. At smaller institutions (depending on the course you take), the credit may only count as an elective (for the general subjects), and you may only find yourself in the course that is at a higher level, which may not be what you need to help you adjust to the college lifestyle. I certainly do not want to start my freshman year taking calc 2 or 3 before I can figure out simply what taking a math class in a lecture hall will be like. It isn't always beneficial to advance yourself too far.
ReplyDeleteAP has proven to be a great asset to our school, I would say, not because of the potential for college credit, but for the "factors like smaller class size and top teachers." Think about it, we have gathered a group of students willing to work, and a teacher that is willing to push us in nurturing and exciting ways. There aren't the constant distractions of having students in the class that are detrimental to the progression of our understanding of literature. Mrs. Carter Conklin can instead spend the time (that she would otherwise spend aiding those students) helping the other end of the spectrum to learn. That is the great benefit of the AP course at Bridgman.