Most critics, when looking at AP course, focus on the workload and how students deal with the material, but AP isn’t one sided; teachers are one of the key features of how AP courses are provided to students. Katherine Leal Unmuth believes that “offering more training for teachers” can benefit students by increasing the passing rate on the AP exam with more experienced teachers providing better learning techniques. Mr. Stewart agrees with his own experience stating, “I don’t think there is a ‘perfect’ design, but I am always tinkering and trying to find what works best for my students, because in the end they are what’s most important.” He continues saying how “teachers and students need to use class time to its full potential... I think the …show more content…
However, Katherine Leal Unmuth believes “[i]f it doesn’t benefit the average kid, then maybe the average kid shouldn’t take AP. AP are college-level courses, not college preparatory.” Essentially, those students that aren’t capable of learning the material just aren’t cutout to be in the AP course, since the teacher has a set time frame in which they can’t slow down for anyone that needs the extra time. AP courses are meant for the strong willed that are able to trudge through the workload and difficult material to take the exam to earn the college credit. Although, AP courses aren’t even necessary to take the AP exam, thus making the course seem …show more content…
Students must cram vital information that is already tough to accomplish, but is exponentially worse when multiple courses are involved. As a result, the AP exam is essentially another standardized test on extremely refined details of the course material that requires many hours of study and review that most students couldn’t handle if they’re fully engaged in 2 or more other AP courses. Julianne Micoleta and Elk Grove both concur that “one of the major flaws in the AP system is that every class is geared toward a standardized test. The result is that comprehensive learning is sacrificed for the sake of test preparation, with teachers spending the most time on topics likely to appear on the AP exam.” Seemingly, teachers are gambling on what will appear on the actual test and cannot teach every aspect, in detail, of what the course description entails. Multiplying this factor with other AP courses and students anxiety to study everything just to cram all the miscellaneous material would completely burn any student out. Mr. Stewart believes that “the teacher needs to do a really good job of preparing the students academically, mentally, and emotionally” both in engaging completely in class as well as preparation for the exam. Fundamentally, teachers can have a profound effect
Someone once said, “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” I use to think that I couldn’t take AP because it was too difficult. But I’m willing to prove to myself and others that just because something is considered hard, doesn’t automatically mean it’s not for you or that you’re going to fail. I want to take AP Biology because I want to challenge myself, of the benefits, and for the experience. I believe that hard work comes with great rewards that are life changing.
Taking AP Biology isn’t that bad. It's, for the most part, fun. But it also challenging as well. Taking AP Biology incredible because the class gets to do lab experiment and even digital ones This is also helpful to one’s who want to have a medical career. It’s because this AP class gets into the specifics of the topic that is being
And, in the end, they do not fairly emphasize students’ strengths, but instead the cramming and recitation of facts, to be forgotten as soon as the test is over.” (“Test Do Not Accurately Represent” par 14)
AP courses are not allowing students to delve into the material they are being taught. Students and school officials would be surprised on knowing this realization because many would argue that AP courses provide students with the best education the school offers. These courses are having instructors teach to the test so that the students have a better chance of getting into their preferred college. Many teachers are having to resort to teaching terrible skills to have the students excel in the AP exam. Students are taught to skip on the foundations of an essay and to score the maximum points on the grading rubric with just enough evidence to squeeze by, according to retired high school teacher Keith Bernstein.This type of teaching gives the example that students only need to meet the limit and not show their true potential. Offering these courses will also require teachers to move quickly on
Students in AP courses typically are required to write more essays and solve through provoking problems that normal students typically do not do (Grove). These various skills that are developed, such as the critical thinking and high-level calculating, help to pave the road for success with students (Davis). Gaining these essential skills while in high school helps to shape healthy habits in students and prepare them for their future in college. For example, AP courses contain different levels of rigor and commitment than a normal course offers a student, which offers students a glance at college work and expectations (Grove). Therefore, the student will be better prepared for the workload and level of intensity that exists in a college atmosphere. Participation in an AP course can help to develop essential skills that students will need later in their academic lives once they reach
An Advanced Placement course requires dedication and effort. Whoever takes these college-level classes must be capable of dealing with large amounts of study content, considerable amounts of homework, and the pressure of moving from topic to topic at a fast pace, not to mention the AP exam at the end of the year. However, when the student is interested enough in the course to look over the previous sacrifices, the benefits surpass the obstacles. Particularly, I think the AP World History would represent a great learning opportunity for me. The main reason that I want to enter this course is that I love history with passion. For me, the study of the past holds the key to the future. Additionally, I find historical characters extremely complex
The second reason is that students may be able to take courses not offered in their regular academic schedules. Not all schools offer courses the student needs. If the student did not meet the requirements to take AP courses, or if those courses were not accessible in high school, taking a college-level class will help students establish the ability to handle more difficult assignments.
Students learn new concepts that they’ve never seen before and they are more complex than many previous concepts that have been taught. The class is fast paced and students haven’t been exposed to the speed at which the class AP Language & Composition is
There are various schools within just the Ohio area that can provide AP course classes. Most schools provide more than others. Benefits to taking AP courses as early as starting your freshman year is, getting the rigorous coursework and challenge in the class. Most students prefer that, plus you still get credit for the class if you pass the final exam. On another note, taking AP classes can boost up your GPA, meaning the classes are more heavily weighted. Another benefit to taking them is if you have a certain grade it automatically bumps up to the next higher grade.
I’m going to be talking about the following piece ‘More schools opening Advanced Placement courses to all students’ by Teresa Watanabe. Her main stance is that increasing AP courses offered in school is allowing more access to low income students, however some students are taking the courses without fundamental, adequate academic skills needed in order to succeed. I will be focusing on the theme of cultural deficit views to explain the achievement gap. I’ll be critiquing the way AP classes are being offered in a widespread manner nationwide, and I’ll be looking at the concept of academic capital, deficit perceptions related to educational achievement, and the effects of AP courses as an intervening variable. I argue against allowing students
After college striking it rich, living in the mansion, driving the sports car seems to be part of everyone’s dream, and it’s also mine. But there is more than meets the eye. My future does not only selfishly involve me, myself, and I. One day I want a family where my kids grow up knowing that few things in life are just handed to you. Yet the things that are, passed down from generation to generation, should be respected as the gifts they are. Through my involvement in NHS,SNHS, and AP classes I have learned that with a hard work ethic one can achieve fulfillment and see that life is precious not only human life but also the earth we live upon.
It is not easy for a student to know everything on the ACT or SAT. It takes years of dedication starting at a time which a lot students do not even know what the ACT or SAT is yet. Students who are struggling to study begin to memorize possible answers instead of learning the actual concepts and information. Too much cramming could lead to an information
The past few years since I have began High School I have realized how important school really is for my future. My freshman year was the year I slacked because I really just had no care but as an 11th grader and an incoming 12th grader for the 2018-2019 school year, I have realized it was a very big mistake because it is now affecting my GPA which I know could be higher. I am hoping that by taking this class it could increase my GPA although by the time I will be taking this class my college applications will have already been submitted. Taking an AP course will be the biggest step I have taken in my high school career. I may not have been ready for this step up in my education during the 2017-2018 school year but I believe I am fully prepared
Concerning Pre - AP and AP classes, the pros are as follows: college - readiness, better eligibility for universities, and college credits. These classes are designed according to how college classes are broken down and managed. Once a student adapts to how these courses are run, then when they are to progress to a university or college, they’ll be able to recognize the similarities between their high school experiences and awaiting college experience. Similarly, another advantage by taking Pre - AP and AP is that when colleges look at student portfolios, an eye catching factor would be if a student has taken certain classes. The mere
In AP, you’ll get the opportunity to take a college-level course and potentially earn college credit. AP not only helps you be better prepared for college, it also introduces you to concepts and skills that will stick with you the rest of your life.