Are AP classes being shoved down your throat?

newdawn6
Sun, 26 Nov 2006 22:13:46 +0000

I originally posted this on the Parents discussion board…but very interested in hearing students’ thoughts out there:

My D’s high school’s goal is to be number one in the state. Obviously, the way to do this is to have as many students take AP courses and AP tests. The school is already number one in the county and is very competitive. Kids who are not taking AP courses are made to feel inadequate…like Honor classes are not good enough anymore. Why do our kids have to feel like they have to take college biology in high school…instead of taking it in “college”? I remember senior year was the year for kids (who have worked hard enough to fulfill most of their high school requirement) to relax and have fun before they start college. Instead, I see my D squeeze in every minute of her senior day reading 3-4 chapters of AP Biology, answering 20 essay questions for AP Lit, studying 5 chapters for AP Calculus…all in one night after coming home at 7pm because of her ECs!!! Now, I understand that there are kids out there who are naturally gifted and should have challenging courses available to them. I just wish the schools did not put so much emphasis on these AP classes to ALL students. AP classes are not for everyone. My D is by no means highly intelligent, but she is very disciplined and works hard. However, I worry about my other kids who are “average” students. Already, in their elementary and middle schools, the large part of the class room time is to prepare them for assessment tests. So instead of teaching our kids independent and creative thinking, we teach them how to be good test takers and people pleasers. Bottomline is if students want to take AP classes, let them…but if students feel that it is not for them, then they should not feel forced to take them.

I welcome any thoughts on this, both from parents and students. For all students who have posted all your AP courses on CC, congratulations on all your efforts…but if you had a choice and AP courses was not a criteria for college acceptance, would you still have taken the course or waited until college and how would you have spent your extra time? Thanks!