By Marlayna McArdle
On the surface, this may seem like a positive change. Participation in AP classes does have a number of benefits: AP students can receive weighted GPAs, substitute their exam scores for an SAT requirement in some college applications and even save money by redeeming their scores for college credit. However, these benefits become watered down when so many people utilize them. Taking AP classes is now an expectation rather than something that makes a transcript stand out. Because so many students are leaving high school with several APs, less colleges are allowing students to exchange their scores for credit, and the boost to an AP class’ grade is less of an advantage when so many people are using them. This only breeds jealousy and excessive competition among students. Every year, the gossip about students taking AP classes that “aren’t smart enough” for them increases, and many insecure students who genuinely wanted to take a particular AP class feel pressured to drop out. According to an informal survey conducted with Wilson students, 51.5% have felt pressured to take an AP class, and 30.3% have felt pressured to avoid taking an AP. Forty-five and a half percent believe that APs are not for bettering the education of any student, but an opportunity for intelligent students exclusively or a way to increase status of the school. One student even stated that “Wilson focuses on test scores of the students, and throwing information at them to remember, not necessarily learn.” Another survey taken by Wilson AP teachers found that, while 100% agree that AP class sizes have increased over the past few years, 100% also believe that recent students are not more prepared to take their classes. One-hundred percent would also prefer that any student who is prepared to challenge themselves or has a passion for the subject take their class - 0% of respondents said that they care about teaching more intelligent students with high GPAs. However, teachers also expressed that Wilson students are motivated to take AP classes because it is a status symbol for the school, even if this may be decreasing because student stress is acknowledged more. This intense academic culture, in which students feel that they do not have the ability to choose their own courses based on what they think is best for them, has corroded what was initially a way to make college more accessible for all students. Rather than encouraging students to take classes they don’t want, schools should prioritize individual needs if they truly want their graduates to be successful. Photos Courtesy Of: www.pearlandisd.org and www.alibris.com
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Elena Caputo
Hi! My name is Elena, and I'm a senior at Wilson and one of the Editors of the Editorial section. If you have any questions or ideas or if you want to write, email me at [email protected]! Olivia MonosHello! My name is Olivia and I'm a junior this year, and one of the editors of the Editorial section! I'm really excited to write for the Paw Print again this year!
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