Greetings colleagues,
I am new to this listserv, and would like to comment on an interesting
scenario which took place recently. In a moderately sized AP Physics B Course, my
students announced to me they were not interested in receiving Advanced
Placement Credit in Physics, for college.
This amazed me, because I felt the major purpose of an AP class was to
complete a comprehensive study of Physics concepts sufficient enough to exempt
classes at the college level.
The students enlightened me to the logic that many of their contemporaries
are now adopting. The students TAKE the AP classes to obtain a higher HIGH
SCHOOL GPA, thus increasing odds for higher scholarships and acceptance to the
top colleges of their choices. In the process, they obtain significant
knowledge of Physics, enough to have a more-than-average chance to pass the AP
Exam.
They do not want to exempt out of the first year Physics course; instead,
they WANT to take it, thinking it will be an easy ‘A’ because of what they
learned in the High School Class. They take the College level class, and make an
‘A’ in it because of the knowledge they’ve obtained in the HS course; they
have an easier load during the first year at college, and the ‘A’ affecting
the COLLEGE GPA.
When the AP Exams of my students were returned to me, those students who
followed this course of action had attempted no problems in their exam booklets.
Their logic is impressive; they have designed a system to benefit them in
both worlds… high school and college. The AP Physics results from my school
were significantly lowered because of this action plan.
Bill Willard
NBCT
Seneca, SC