Spring Break
Spectator editorial: AP Audit
Stricter guidelines are needed for Advanced Placement classes
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Editorial/Opinion
THE ISSUE: The College Board is issuing an audit of the Advanced Placement programs at schools worldwide.
The heavy out-of-class workload of an average college student can be a huge change from the occasional homework assigned to high school students. To combat the struggles involved in this transition, Advanced Placement courses are offered during high school to help students prepare for the rigors of college academics.
However, some of these courses have strayed from the requirements set by the College Board, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
According to the article, the College Board is investigating the lack of a workload for AP-labeled classes throughout the world and will take away the label if the class fails to live up to their expectations.
The audit ordered by the College Board is the right way to go about determining if an AP-labeled class is actually preparing students for college life. It should be used to encourage and motivate teachers to increase the difficulty of their classes so students are more aware of what it takes to be in college.
Without the audit, schools would continue to slap the AP label on a class and market the school's "prestigious" college prep programs.
If the AP sets stronger guidelines for what is required in the class, then it will result in better teacher organization and student understanding of college academia.
The teachers being targeted are teaching to the test and failing to allow students the free discussion and exchange of ideas seen in a typical college classroom atmosphere. However, if students feel they are not ready for the workload, they are still free to take the test at the end of the year without even taking the class.
If teachers feel they are being hassled and unfairly blamed for an easy AP-based curriculum, they should look at how it could affect the futures of their students aspiring to go to college.
The heavy out-of-class workload of an average college student can be a huge change from the occasional homework assigned to high school students. To combat the struggles involved in this transition, Advanced Placement courses are offered during high school to help students prepare for the rigors of college academics.
However, some of these courses have strayed from the requirements set by the College Board, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
According to the article, the College Board is investigating the lack of a workload for AP-labeled classes throughout the world and will take away the label if the class fails to live up to their expectations.
The audit ordered by the College Board is the right way to go about determining if an AP-labeled class is actually preparing students for college life. It should be used to encourage and motivate teachers to increase the difficulty of their classes so students are more aware of what it takes to be in college.
Without the audit, schools would continue to slap the AP label on a class and market the school's "prestigious" college prep programs.
If the AP sets stronger guidelines for what is required in the class, then it will result in better teacher organization and student understanding of college academia.
The teachers being targeted are teaching to the test and failing to allow students the free discussion and exchange of ideas seen in a typical college classroom atmosphere. However, if students feel they are not ready for the workload, they are still free to take the test at the end of the year without even taking the class.
If teachers feel they are being hassled and unfairly blamed for an easy AP-based curriculum, they should look at how it could affect the futures of their students aspiring to go to college.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Gene
posted 3/07/07 @ 8:47 AM CST
The AP Audit is a waste of time. It does nothing to enhance instruction. It is hours of busy work and is merely a tool for College Board to use for marketing. (Continued…)
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