In the last post I said we would talk about AP Classes and Grade Inflation next week. I’m going to split the two topics in half, and just address AP Classes in this posting.
Data has shown that students who take AP Classes in High School are better prepared for college, regardless if they achieve a score of 3 or higher on the AP Exam. AP Course takers also tend to do better in the Standardized Tests (ACT/SAT).
So, let’s have all students at Wilson County High Schools take an AP Class as part of their core curriculum in order to graduate. That’s the proposal, simple isn’t it?
Which AP Class? Well, one of the most basic AP Classes is World History. Here is a link of it’s description:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_worldhist.html?worldhist
Since our High Schools use a 4-Block system, it would be difficult for half the students to take AP World in the Fall, and then have to wait until the Spring to take the College Board administered test. So, I propose that a World History course be developed that would span the entire two semesters, with appropriate credit given. Fall Semester they would have to take Introduction to World History, followed by AP World History in the Spring Semester. That course would account for two Social Science credits in their core curriculum requirements. Sophomores would have the option to take it, and Juniors (who did not take it as Sophomores) would be required to take it.
It may take a waiver by the State, however an argument could be made that this would be a test study to see the impact on improving Standardized Test Scores.
Whoa, what about our students that cannot afford to take the AP Exam? That costs big bucks you know!
Well, the BOE policy of making the AP test optional could still stand. Yes, that is right, AP students in Wilson County Schools do not have to take the AP Test.
We at the Wilson County School Watch cabal would like to see all Students take the test though. It would portray a far more accurate picture of how the teachers are doing in their jobs. No longer would the teachers be able to cherry-pick those they feel will score 4′s and 5′s and discourage the rest from taking the test.
Yes, we do understand that not all can take the test due to financial reasons.
This can be approached in several ways. First, according to the AP webpages, the College Board is willing to reduce the fee by $22 for students with demonstrated financial need, plus they require that the school forgo their $8 rebate fee for each test taken. That would reduce the cost to $56 for those who cannot afford it, down from the standard $86 fee. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/cal_fees.html
Ok, so that leaves $56 per student who is in need. Well, the State of Tennessee has an assistance program for AP Test takers who are in further need. The AP site points us to Nicole Cobb at the State Dept of Education for further information. Nicole.Cobb@state.tn.us
So, after the AP Fee reduction, both from the College Board, the Wilson County BOE waiving their administration fee portion, and what ever assistance the State DOE can offer, we will still probably come up short. What to do, what to do?
That is why we propose setting up a non-profit foundation to solicit funds from local Wilson County businesses to underwrite the costs of AP World History tests. We have some pretty big corporate names in this county: Cracker Barrel, Genesco, Bridgestone, Nissan, LifeWay, University Medical Center. to name a few. Corporations always talk about partnering with schools, let’s see them put their money where their mouth is.
A mandatory AP course for all Wilson County High School Students is achievable. It will take the BOE to step up and think outside the box, rather than do business as usual, which is all bluster and no action.
Next week: Grade Inflation and the mockery of high GPA’s in today’s quest for college admission.
