Parents of the HS class of 2010 - Original

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
2281

<p>jackief–At the time that I joined the CC facebook group, there were a number of introductory posts, and things seemed to have quieted down a bit since then. Perhaps as more people join the group–or possibly when RD envelopes start coming in–things will pick up. Facebook, in general, has been useful for college search & selection for my daughters. They’ve checked out some the college-specific FB groups, just to get some additional sense of the student culture, and important issues, of a particular college or university.</p>

<p>DougBetsy’s point about the potential disruption of taking off-campus courses is well taken. As I understand it, our high school, has a few specific courses (Intro. Anthropology is one example) at local colleges, at a special tuition rate, that they offer as an option for students to make up for the limited variety of AP offerings at our school–and they will receive college credit for these classes. I believe that they are chosen so as to minimize disruption with the rest school day, although transportation will need to be worked out. In reference to northeastmom’s question: If D had a choice between an AP and a “dual credit” class, she (and I) would definitely prefer an AP class for a more “seamless” class schedule (and transcript) as well as avoiding any logistical/transportation issues.</p>

2282

<p>I gather dual credit means the students gets HS and college credit for the same class. So I guess that we have this option available, although it’s not for a select set of classes.</p>

<p>My S could have enrolled in linear algebra at the community college for just the price of the textbook. However, the logistics, with him having two working parents and he having after school sports and no drivers license, made this out of the question, though the price was right! None of us were thrilled with the idea of having him take the class at night either. This is why we bit the bullet and signed him up for the online course with CTY, once we’d established he’d at least get HS credit for it. Although pricey, CTY is well established and can provide just the information a HS would need to make the assessment on offering credit. It took our HS no time at all to say yes to credit once they received the materials.</p>

<p>My S is busy taking a Mock SAT this morning. The PTSA puts on these Mock SAT and Mock ACT test four times a year (two each) at a cost of $20. Real world conditions and everything.</p>

2283

<p>northeastmom - not sure how it’s treated in your school, but at my D’s school, you can get college credit for many classes. Some are through Syracuse U, and some are through other schools. I’m not sure how they’re treated by other colleges - it probably varies from school to school. From looking at the registration sheet, it looks like the “college” classes are weighted as honors classes rather than AP classes. I can’t say what they do at your son’s school. I know my D is planning to take APs rather than the “college” classes when they’re both offered - as long as she can fit them into her schedule.</p>

2284

<p>Our school board had a presentation and discussion about their AP classes last week. The district offers APs in 17 areas, and a good mix across the disciplines (with the sole exception, IMHO, of no AP Bio or AP Environ offerings.)</p>

<p>Cost this year has risen to $86 so we’ll need to pony up $344. Students argued against the policy instituted last years, which says students either take the AP exam or else forfeit the GPA weighting that comes with the AP class. (Note: A grade lower than a C in an AP class automatically forfeits the weighting.) One district in another nearby city has a policy that the AP exam (score doesn’t matter) makes up 30% of the grade in the AP class so their “compliance” level in test taking approaches 100%. Wonder how they deal with it if the student is ill on exam day?</p>

<p>I chatted with my S about all this as I drove him to his Mock SAT. I said the taking of the AP classes is getting to be like the nuclear arms race, with kids doing more, taking AP exams after self study, etc. He kind of shrugged, as if the say the hyper competition is just something kids of his era have to deal with.</p>

<p>Does anyone else feel like putting a curse on the College Board for this? How does anyone orchestra a system wide detente? In the best of all worlds, bright kids could take the AP classes in the areas they feel best in, and have an honors class level in the areas they may be less interested in. </p>

<p>I read somewhere on CC, which I think quoted something from the MIT web site, that says the average student entering there has 5 AP classes. Knowing the MIT draw, these kids probably took the math/science APs. And yet, in our HS, to be considered in the “most rigorous” category, taking 9-10 AP level classes is expected.</p>

<p>My S took the CTY summer course in probability and game theory and thus has a greater appreciation than I on how this all works.</p>

<p>I’d sure like to see a roll back, where colleges only accept maybe a maximum of 3 AP classes for credit, that the students can feel free (especially in this kind of economy) to take the class but not the test.</p>

<p>I know, I’m probably preaching to the choir and it’s past Christmas, so I missed the chance to add this to my list along with world peace and some other things.</p>

2285

<p>S1 had the chance to do dual enrollment (a 20-minute bus ride each way), but chose against it. He wanted to stay connected to the school and his ECs, and felt he’d miss out on the chance for leadership opportunities if he was elsewhere part of the day. (He was right, too.) The school had enough other stuff to keep him busy and the EC where he got lots of leadership also kept him busy learning new material that he would have learned had he taken a college class.</p>

<p>If it’s a DC class <em>in a subject my kid wants to take</em> and it’s offered at the HS, I’d have no problems about S taking the class whether or not it actually transferred for credit. There were a couple of times where we might have disagreed with S1 about taking a particular course, but in virtually every case, S was right on the money. The kids know the teachers and the reputation for work (or lack thereof). I’ll offer advice if asked, and if I hang back and quietly observe, they WILL ask for feedback.</p>

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<p>limomof2, intereting point. I never asked how those DCs are weighted. As far as ranking it does not matter bc our school does not rank. I guess it matters for schools that take gpas as face value. I am going to need to check on that. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.</p>

2287

<p>FindAPlace - I know exactly what you mean. Our school also requires the students to take the AP exams if they take the AP classes (not sure what happens if they don’t - I never asked). We’re in the same situation - $86 each X 4 APs = $344. That’s a lot of money! Next year she may be taking as many as 6 AP exams! But like your S, my D just accepts that that’s the way things are.</p>

<p>It would be nice if either the high schools limited the number kids could take - and they won’t because it affects their ratings in some publications, or like you said, if colleges only accepted a maximum number of AP courses for credit.</p>

2288

<p>Our school offers a few courses in the high school that also are accredited by Syracuse. Honors, APs and those dual credit courses all have the same weighting (1.1), compared to 1.05 for regular courses (i.e. Regents level), and 1.0 for extra slow courses.</p>

2289

<p>I spoke to D about her schedule next year, and she is still not sure, but leaning to taking AP Music theory. I did hear that it was a very tough course, but does anyone here have any insight into it?</p>

2290

<p>It was money ($20) and time well spent having S take the Mock SAT. Although he’s a good writer, he ran out of time on the writing part since he paced himself like he does when taking the DBQ essays for AP US History. Better to make this error on a practice test. He felt pretty good on the CR and “owned” the math section.</p>

<p>And 1st semester grades are now in the bag. Looking good and the AP English Language teacher is still adoring the math/science guy.</p>

<p>And now, back to grinding on the linear algebra class …</p>

2291

<p>On the “requirement” to take the AP test - our teachers threaten the kids with losing their weighted grade point if they don’t take the test - e.g. take AP Econ, don’t take the test, get credit for regular econ. </p>

<p>My DS challenged this - econ was a single semester class he took in the fall semester and he felt it was unreasonable to go back and change a grade from January in May for failure to take an outside test. Turns out it is illegal in California (or so the administration said). Teacher was really mad - but 80% of the students got up and walked out of the AP Econ test rather than take it and get a bad mark (he had done a terrible job teaching the class - I am an econ undergrad so that is a somewhat informed opinion).</p>

2292

<p>Not sure what happens to us if we don’t take the AP test–it’s simply required, period. And the school doesn’t cover any of the fee, either. It maximizes the school’s Newsweek ranking, of course, but I know it’s also deterred me (beyond natural disinclination) from taking AP sciences.</p>

2293

<p>For the decision about DC, AP and honors, I followed the advice I’ve seen here time and again. I let my son decide based on the factors important to him and kept my concerns (how is this weighted? etc.) to myself. We also replaced an AP he was going take his senior year with a pre-AP class so he can stay in Theater class. The GC was supportive, which we appreciated. </p>

<p>He’s so excited to be going to the local college for one, possibly two, DC classes a day and nearly as excited about taking the DC class offered at his school. I’m glad he’s got something new he’s looking forward to for senior year. </p>

<p>And! He applied to work in the kitchen at his camp this summer! He’s too young to be a counselor but wants to work there as a counselor starting the summer before college. I am thrilled he is being proactive about getting a job. I hope it works out.</p>

2294

<p>QM–my nephew, who racked up an astonishing number of 5s on AP exams, told me that the AP Music Theory exam was a tough one. He had studied piano for years too. But I think he did fine in the end–he just had to work harder. You might want to search the AP test preparation forum.</p>

2295

<p>QM–AP music theory is difficult but…if you are naturally talented in music, it’s not so bad. My S took the test on his own at another school after I prepared him for it. He plays piano and intuitively grasped most of what he needed to know, plus he has perfect pitch. I know, that’s really an unfair advantage on the aural portion (dictation.)</p>

<p>I would think Music theory would be a valuable class to have if you plan to go into music, even if you choose not to take the AP test.</p>

<p>I would compare Mus theory AP to AP Calculus…yes, it’s difficult but if you are “good” at math, you learn the material as it is presented. (Just guessing at this analogy here; I wouldn’t be a natural at Calculus!) :eek:</p>

2296

<p>pugmadkate - I’m glad your S is excited by his opportunities. And I completely agree that it’s important to let him decide which factors are most important to him when selecting his courses. Every person has to do what’s right for him or her. </p>

<p>Also, I wish him luck in his job search.</p>

2297

<p>Sorry, I just couldn’t allow us to languish on page 3. :)</p>

<p>The year is half over and it’s starting to raise my heart rate and make me perspire when I think about it. S’s grades aren’t looking as good as they should be, (or as good as HE would like them to be) and the clock keeps ticking… Wish I could help him “wake up” a bit more, but I know it’s up to him.</p>

2298

<p>I know what you mean, BengalMom. </p>

<p>Son is prepping for the March SAT. So far his practice scores have been lower than his PSAT equivalent! WTH?!? Even lower than the soph PSAT! I think he’s doing it half-a$$ed on purpose. The first few lessons were under the conditions of “Yes, you can go to/watch/play ________ as soon as you finish your SAT work.” </p>

<p>GRRRR.</p>

2299

<p>Aaahh… the joy and wonder of teenage boys. :)</p>

2300

<p>Glad I’m not the only one.</p>