From Harford County Public Schools:
Harford County participation in Advanced Placement (AP) assessments realized a nearly seven percent increase from 1,427 students in 2010 to 1,525 students in 2011, this at the same time total high school enrollment in the county remained steady. Total enrollment in AP courses exceeded 4,000, with many students taking multiple AP courses. With a focus on rigor at every level, Harford County anticipates continuing increases in AP participation and performance.
Slightly more than 60 percent of the AP exams given in Harford County were scored as “college mastery level,” consistent with Maryland and the nation. Achievement of this performance level qualifies students to receive credit at many colleges and universities.
AP exams were administered in all high schools, and the number of AP exams administered increased in five high schools compared to 2010. In 2011, one out of every four students enrolled in grades 10 through 12 took at least one AP course and one in six took an AP exam. By the time they graduated, one in five members of the Class of 2011 had demonstrated college mastery or higher on one or more AP exams.
“As our Board of Education’s strategic plan shines a light on college readiness, we will work to build on the successes of our students with respect to the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and AP coursework,” said Superintendent Robert M. Tomback. “The increased level of SAT/AP participation in Harford County illustrates that our students understand and value the importance of these national tests as the foundation and keys to their future.”
Nearly eight percent more Harford County students took the SAT in 2011 compared to 2010. The number of test-takers in Harford County jumped in 2011 with 1,585 graduates participating, an increase of 145 students from the previous year, which exceeds the state’s rate of increase in participation in 2011.
Compared to 2010, Harford County test-takers’ overall performance held steady in critical reading (507) and writing (481), and dropped by ten points in mathematics, consistent with state and national data. Harford County mean scale scores exceed the state and the nation in critical reading (507 versus 499 and 497, respectively). Students in Harford County also outpaced the state in mathematics (512 versus 502) while falling slightly behind in writing (481 versus 491).
As a part of the school system’s efforts to improve college and career readiness for all students, schools are accelerating opportunities to ensure greater participation in AP courses, as well as to increase scores in every tested area of the SAT. In particular, the school system will continue to focus on supporting students in mastering coursework, resulting in increased achievement on these rigorous assessments.
Test scores, demographics and individual school information can be found on the school system website (www.hcps.org) by visiting each School Profile.
Is HCPS going to release to AP scores by test and High school. The real question here is “If over 4000 students are taking AP classes, why aren’t more taking the AP test?” Many colleges say that if you take an AP class, but don’t take the test then they assume you only scored a 1 on the test. That would clearly change the “%60 college mastery level.”
You are joking? Don’t you know that you have to pay for each test you take, and you can’t use the credits in your major? Don’t be so quick to judge unless you are first informed.
So AP test credits are applied to what pre req’s?
Colin
If you major in Chemistry you may not claim an AP credit in most sciences. Also some schools require you to pay for the credits to redeem the test leaving it a situation in which you can’t save money.
It seems like some schools have a pretty open door policy to students taking AP classes. It certainly seems to be the case at Patterson Mill. I believe last year PMHS had 6 AP psychology classes. That seems to be a large number for a fairly specialized class. I just remember the standards to get in the class used to be much more stringent. It certainly looks to me like HCPS may be attempting to pad the stats. It certainly looks good on a superintendents resume to have 4000+ AP students and the increase to come on his watch. Maybe I am wrong, maybe a 38% passing rate(of those who took the test) and an even smaller percent who took the class even attempting the test is acceptable. Although for the students 38% is failure.
I think we might be sacrificing quality for quantity. Less students in the classes, but higher passing rates would look better in my eyes.
Amen, Colin.
The SAT’s and the AP tests are both administered by the College Board which has become a very profitable business over the years. Unfortunately, as the number of the students taking the test increases so does the standard for colleges accepting the scores. I don’t think the AP classes were ever really meant for a broad spectrum of students but look at all the money being made on students who take the tests and subsequently don’t get a high enough score to earn college credit or the majority of students who don’t even get a “3” which is the minimal score for college credit. My son earned over 15 college credits and could only use 6 of them for Engineering at College Park. That particular degree has very few electives and most colleges will not exempt students from taking their English Comp.
I think we have done a true disservice to STUDENTS (not adults) by funneling so many kids into AP. It has become watered down to accommodate the students who are truly capable and isn’t going to matter to the kids who don’t belong in the first place because they are not going to get a “3” or more on the test. I would encourage all parents to insist on seeing AP test results at the schools their kids attend and compare those scores to other schools in Harford County as well as the State. That information is available thru HCPS and before you plunk down 85.00 (or whatever it is now) you have the absolute right to know what your child’s chance of being successful are.
With a Senior and Junior in High school I am quite informed about AP tests both pro and con. When done right, AP classes provide a level of challenge not available in most high school classes. If the only students in AP are the ones who truly belong there, then passing rates of 80% or more are not uncommon. You’re right, a student usually cannot use AP to skip intro classes in their major. To use the Chemistry major, my daughter would probably be placed in freshman chem with her 3 on AP chem, but she can her 4 on US history to satisfy her social sciences elective, her 4 in English to skip freshman English, and her 5 on Calc to skip first year calc. A 4 or 5 on foreign language will usually place you into second year language. What schools do with AP is very dependent on the college with some taking more than others. Most selective school will only take 4’s and 5’s in major subjects. Psychology, Human Geography, and Environmental Sciences are not usually accepted, no matter what you score. It’s not until a student is actually enrolled in college will you find out what AP’s will be accepted and where your child is placed. Colleges provide guidelines on their websites as to how they treat AP tests. For me the $85 per test was worth the cost since those 4’s and 5’s on the test shows colleges that my child is ready to do college level work. And if she gets some credits for those scores, then that’s a bonus. By the way, at a college information session I attended recently, the admission rep said that if a student took an AP class, but did not take the AP test then they assume the AP test score would be a “1”. That’s something to think about when you sign up for AP and then don’t take the test.
I think HCPS is doing a great disservice to the students when they pack the AP classes full of kids and then don’t provide the instruction necessary for those kids to pass the test.
AP works best when taught by your best teachers with a scafolding group. The problem is the scafold classes should be taught by great teachers. The problem is when you push 3 sections of AP bio you usually have less then the best teaching the classes and you have students not focused on the real motivation. Further complicate that by grade inflation and you totally demoralize the teacher.
As a teacher of AP classes, I can tell you that at my school there is encouragement to take the classes from administration, even if they are not really meant for them, though a lot of this stems from the parents not wanting to be told that their child may not do well. To answer a previous comment, I do not “water down” my class even though I have many who should not be in it. I teach it the way it should be, and usually have a few drop. We will never have all students take the test, unless we require it from the on set, as some counties do. I know my school, and most, will assist with the money end for those with tough times or taking multiple tests.
Just-a-mom,
You say that Psych/Env and Geography are not widely taken by colleges, but I beg to differ. That is a very broad statement to use and I feel it quite “off”. There are always some colleges that are not accepting of particular subjects, but as a teacher of one of these in question, I can tell you that all of my students who have passed it have been able to use it, even those majoring in the subject, as they used it for “elective credits”.
As a teacher of AP classes, I can tell you that at my school there is encouragement to take the classes from administration, even if they are not really meant for them, though a lot of this stems from the parents not wanting to be told that their child may not do well. To answer a previous comment, I do not “water down” my class even though I have many who should not be in it. I teach it the way it should be, and usually have a few drop. We will never have all students take the test, unless we require it from the on set, as some counties do. I know my school, and most, will assist with the money end for those with tough times or taking multiple tests.
Just-a-mom,
You say that Psych/Env and Geography are not widely taken by colleges, but I beg to differ. That is a very broad statement to use and I feel it quite “off”. There are always some colleges that are not accepting of particular subjects, but as a teacher of one of these in question, I can tell you that all of my students who have passed it have been able to use it, even those majoring in the subject, as they used it for “elective credits”.
As a teacher of AP classes, I can tell you that at my school there is encouragement to take the classes from administration, even if they are not really meant for them, though a lot of this stems from the parents not wanting to be told that their child may not do well. To answer a previous comment, I do not “water down” my class even though I have many who should not be in it. I teach it the way it should be, and usually have a few drop. We will never have all students take the test, unless we require it from the on set, as some counties do. I know my school, and most, will assist with the money end for those with tough times or taking multiple tests.
Just-a-mom,
You say that Psych/Env and Geography are not widely taken by colleges, but I beg to differ. That is a very broad statement to use and I feel it quite “off”. There are always some colleges that are not accepting of particular subjects, but as a teacher of one of these in question, I can tell you that all of my students who have passed it have been able to use it, even those majoring in the subject, as they used it for “elective credits”.
LL16
Is it a desire to pump up the number of kids taking A.P. classes? Fear of parent backlash? or a combination of both that drives your schools administration? My past experiences have shown me that most administrators do not care about anything parents have to say.
What school? Great that you do not water down, would you prefer a more stringent standard to take the class?
Well, for my school, we have an administrator who feels that just about all students should take at least 1 AP. This new superintendent is certainly about AP enrollment and the problem then becomes do you want enrollment or solid scores. Because, unfortunately, you can not have both from my experience. I agree with your comment on quality vs. quantity. Regarding my school’s administration, they tend to side with the parent, whether that is to take a class or remove their child from a particular class. Not being an administrator, it is hard for me to see where they are coming from, but from my perspective, it is frustrating.
Students take these AP classes as a GPA boost. Even though my students have to work hard for their grades, it is an annoyance when they never plan on ever taking the test. My school wants enrollment and scores to match, and there is always an underlying pressure to be successful with scores even when we have students who should not be in the class from the beginning.
Yes, absolutely, I would prefer stronger requirements to enroll. Again, one of the administrators does not want to shut down a student who has the desire to challenge themselves. It really depends on the AP course, on the students who can take it, as some have more prerequisites, ie…