Why Advanced Placement Isn’t So Advanced

That’s the title of a chapter in my book dealing with the AP program and why it’s not the best choice for motivated (or even not-so-motivated) high school students. I’ve quoted a couple of experts and I offer my suggestion for a superior option (two, actually) but the bottom line is this: the Advanced Placement program has become a victim of its own success.

I’m not the only one who feels that way. This week, Jacques Steinberg of The New York Times wrote an article about the results of a recent Fordham Institute study that polled a thousand AP teachers across the United States. He summarizes one of the key findings this way: more than half are concerned that the program’s effectiveness is being threatened as districts loosen restrictions on who can take such rigorous courses and as students flock to them to polish their résumés

Exactly.

There’s been tremendous growth in the number of students signing up for AP courses, and this is generally considered a positive thing–more kids willing and able to take rigorous courses makes everyone feel successful. But here’s the problem: 90 percent of the teachers said the increased numbers are due to more students who want their college applications to look better. Only 32 percent attribute AP growth to more students who want to be challenged at a higher academic level.

So, we’re churning out more AP students who think they’re gaining an edge, we’ve got more teachers (and college admissions officials) questioning whether these kids really have what it takes to do well at a university, there are more parents urging their kids to take as many AP courses as they can, and plenty of schools administrators are scrambling for ways to make them look like they are offering rigorous courses to their students. Meanwhile, the College Board is making money with every AP exam taken. Cha-CHING!

Gosh, this sounds kind of like the SAT/SAT-prep issue, which has millions of students spending their time preparing for a test that is relevant only because the test-makers promote it as such. When are we going to stop listening to the College Board and start considering better options for our kids?

It’s a game, people. And it’s completely avoidable. In fact, those who bypass AP in favor of more relevant options are sailing right past their test-crazed classmates. (much more on this in the book, which comes out in just a couple of weeks!)

Tagged as: advanced placement, AP, AP courses, AP exams, AP teachers, AP tests, college admissions, college applications, College Board, college credit, Fordham Institute, Jacques Steinberg, The New York Times