StuCo Sponsors Chris Herrin
By: Tori Dickson, Editor
8/03/14 7:25pm
Here at Quaboag, and at high schools across America, the criteria for being a well-rounded and college bound student does not cease at the A's one gets on report cards or the number of sports one plays. A student is not only expected to juggle the trifling tasks of being in high school, but they must also be in “college”: in the sense that they are expected to take college level (Advanced Placement) classes.
The Advanced Placement program itself was developed as far back as 1955 with the idea of offering college credit to high school students. Ultimately, this would save the students money once they attend college and be offered rigorous courses that challenge well qualified students. In 2013 over 3.9 million exams were taken by 2.2 million students. In Massachusetts, 27.9% of students scored a 3 or higher which is the fourth highest percentage in the United States. There is no argument that AP tests are becoming a more prominent part of schooling and students are achieving higher grades on the tests than ever before.
What guidance sometimes fails to mention is that taking AP courses is not always worth it. Some schools do not even take certain credits for specific AP classes, some require a 4 or higher and there is sometimes a cap off for how much AP credit a student can receive. Ambitious students often feel pressured to take AP courses because they feel it beefs up their resume and in competition to get into colleges, they seem like a requirement.
Preparing students for college in high school has developed to mean pushing students into college as soon as possible with college level courses. Not only are the high school students expected to be well rounded individuals - members of clubs, play sports, volunteer and earn top level grades - but they also have to prove they are college ready….by being in college. During the school year some students take up to as many as six AP classes in their high school career – which is not uncommon at Quaboag. AP classes not only require a lot of time and dedication in school but the homework load and studying can combine to an average of 2 hours of homework a night per AP class. Two hours may not seem like much but when it is combined with all the homework from every other class a student is taking, extracurricular activities, a part time job and finding time to sleep, the result is catastrophic for a student’s psyche.
Taking Advanced Placement classes started out as a beneficial way to enhance high school student’s education but it is turning into just another strenuous hoop students feel forced to jump through. Students in high school are treated like they are in high school so they should not be expected to behave like college students.
By: Tori Dickson, Editor
8/03/14 7:25pm
Here at Quaboag, and at high schools across America, the criteria for being a well-rounded and college bound student does not cease at the A's one gets on report cards or the number of sports one plays. A student is not only expected to juggle the trifling tasks of being in high school, but they must also be in “college”: in the sense that they are expected to take college level (Advanced Placement) classes.
The Advanced Placement program itself was developed as far back as 1955 with the idea of offering college credit to high school students. Ultimately, this would save the students money once they attend college and be offered rigorous courses that challenge well qualified students. In 2013 over 3.9 million exams were taken by 2.2 million students. In Massachusetts, 27.9% of students scored a 3 or higher which is the fourth highest percentage in the United States. There is no argument that AP tests are becoming a more prominent part of schooling and students are achieving higher grades on the tests than ever before.
What guidance sometimes fails to mention is that taking AP courses is not always worth it. Some schools do not even take certain credits for specific AP classes, some require a 4 or higher and there is sometimes a cap off for how much AP credit a student can receive. Ambitious students often feel pressured to take AP courses because they feel it beefs up their resume and in competition to get into colleges, they seem like a requirement.
Preparing students for college in high school has developed to mean pushing students into college as soon as possible with college level courses. Not only are the high school students expected to be well rounded individuals - members of clubs, play sports, volunteer and earn top level grades - but they also have to prove they are college ready….by being in college. During the school year some students take up to as many as six AP classes in their high school career – which is not uncommon at Quaboag. AP classes not only require a lot of time and dedication in school but the homework load and studying can combine to an average of 2 hours of homework a night per AP class. Two hours may not seem like much but when it is combined with all the homework from every other class a student is taking, extracurricular activities, a part time job and finding time to sleep, the result is catastrophic for a student’s psyche.
Taking Advanced Placement classes started out as a beneficial way to enhance high school student’s education but it is turning into just another strenuous hoop students feel forced to jump through. Students in high school are treated like they are in high school so they should not be expected to behave like college students.