I took several AP (Advanced Placement) classes in High School — Chemistry, Biology, and English. I didn't take AP Math (Calculus) because I was a year behind my peers in math, having taken "Math II" when they took Algebra I; I needed that extra year before I "got" math. I didn't take AP History either (although all of my friends did). I never cared for History and had no plans to take any history courses in College. I never regretted that decision, especially when the AP History class always had a test on the faculty in-service afternoons (when the rest of the school was dismissed early).
I was not aware, however, that an increasing number of US states have been mandating universal availability of Advanced Placement courses in an effort to make college education accessible to a broader population of students.
School districts and teachers are under acute pressure to respond to this demanding
challenge. As school districts strive to provide greater opportunities for more students, educators –
and the public – ask some provocative questions:
- Where are qualified teachers who can deliver on the promise of access to
advanced coursework for all students who perform well academically?- How can we provide the challenging curricula that make high school a path to a
vibrant academic and economic future?…
In some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities, entrance
requirements are so rigorous that only students who have completed Advanced
Placement courses can qualify for admission. This places students in affluent
communities–whose schools are typically those most able to afford healthy Advanced
Placement programs–at a significant advantage and, by extension, places other
students at a disadvantage.[The Role of Advanced Placement Courses in Enabling High Achievement In Every High School:
A Research Paper ; Prepared March 22, 2002 by Agile Mind, Inc. in cooperation with The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas and the AVID Center ]
Agile Mind is an education company formed in 2001 to enhance both equity and high achievement in challenging academic courses (i.e., the AP program). Agile Mind is committed to three ideas: excellence, equity, and sustainable school capacity. Here's what they say:
For and with educators and administrators, we have developed, continuously tested and improved our productivity tools, performance reports, and professional development services to support effective college preparatory instruction for a broad spectrum of students.
For students, we have created powerful tools and strategies that help them excel in the examination-driven advanced courses that are crucial for admission to America’s leading colleges and universities.
We have used the Internet to deliver these tools and services at a fraction of their historical costs. We are now further leveraging this infrastructure to deliver high-quality services that schools and districts find increasingly essential to meet the increased expectations of the education accountability movement (and the landmark No Child Left Behind Act) for our nation’s middle and high schools.
Worth watching…
vlbrown-mzydt 