Monday, 17 May, 2010 Newtown High SchoolFeature
AP Test-Takers
For her eight years of teaching Advanced Placement Language and Composition, Jeanetta Miller has never had a student opt out of the AP test. This perfect record persists despite the policy change last year that no longer requires students who are enrolled in AP courses to take this extremely challenging examination.
“The policy change doesn’t appear to have had an impact,” remarked Miller. “Students understand the importance of the test… I believe students see it more as an opportunity than an obligation.”
The test, which costs $90 and spans three hours, is designed by College Board to simulate a college final exam.
“Students are free not to take the exam, but I think that would be a poor decision,” explained Miller, who said she strongly encourages students in all AP courses to take the test. “I don’t want anyone missing out on the experience.”
Director of Guidance Cathy Ostar looked at the policy with Charles Dumais when he was hired as principal in 2008. She explained that the decision to eliminate the AP test requirement was based solely on the price, despite at least one NHS teacher who thinks the policy change may have been motivated by other factors as well. The teacher, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained to the Hawkeye, “Schools are judged on their numbers. If the school gets rid of kids who don’t know their material, and don’t want to take the test, the scores will go up.”
In response to this comment, Ostar strongly denied the school was just trying to improve scores. “We can’t require students to do anything with a cost. It’s a lot of money and some kids can’t afford to pay,” Ostar said, adding that there were strict state guidelines for financial aid, similar to the free lunch program, which enables students to take the test even if their families cannot afford the fee.
“NHS strongly encourages students to take AP tests. It demonstrates that the courses are worthwhile and it’s a way for students to feel pride in their studying,” said Ostar.
She also points out that if a student scores a three or higher on the test (out of five), they can potentially get college credit. “It’s a semester’s worth of tuition for $90, which is a great deal,” said Ostar.
Dumais is another proponent of the AP testing experience.
“The AP test is the validity for the course, but requiring students to take the AP exams without funding is not appropriate,” said Dumais. “What am I going to do with kids who don’t take [the exam]?”
Dumais, who has taught three AP courses in other districts, said he “doesn’t subscribe to the belief that students should take the AP course to get college credit,” but he advises students to take the test “to get an experience and be able to gage themselves” against high-achieving students across the world.
As for test preparation, Dumais said that if the course is taught under the impression that all students will take the course, students will be prepared, and they will want to test. “Good AP courses encourage students to take the test,” commented Dumais.
Although science teacher Karolyn Baumgartner said she strongly encourages her students to take the test, she also pointed out that the policy could be “a good thing” for students who don’t test well, “because not everyone is a strong test-taker.”
Baumgartner notes that along with the test requirement change, the school has adapted new AP policies in other areas as well. Baumgartner, who teaches AP Environmental Science, says students no longer have to apply to take the course.
Because it is easier for students to enroll in the course, Baumgartner said “some students aren’t ready, and they drag the rest of the class down. It’s happened to me.”
Ostar responded to this concern saying she knows teachers are frustrated but, “this is not just an issue with AP classes. It happens at all levels.”
She, Miller, and Dumais all confirmed that the school was trying to give more students the opportunity to take Advanced Placement courses, provided students have met the prerequisites.
“There will always be a student who is not appropriately placed,” said Dumais, who said one way to help students chose the right level is by “front-loading expectations” so students aren’t surprised by the coursework.
Miller, who is also chair of the English department, said students who want to take AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition no longer have to apply for the courses. Only a teacher recommendation is necessary, which can be overridden if a student is confident they have been incorrectly placed.
“We want to give an AP experience to anyone who is willing to endure it,” said Miller.