AP Audits

Doug Guthrie:

The quality of Advanced Placement programs is coming under scrutiny at a time when educators are pushing to strengthen the academic level of high school class offerings.

Come February, the college prep classes at high schools across the nation will be audited amid concerns that some schools may be offering watered-down versions of AP courses. Full descriptions of every AP course, syllabus, sample assignment and sample exam for the 2007-08 year will be reviewed.

"Administrators are under pressure to create advanced-type classes. Parents want them. Policy-makers want them. If I'm being told to teach Advance Placement, I can put AP in front of any course name," said Jim Ballard, executive director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. "Of course, it's more than simply adding the name, and that's where the College Board is crying foul."

The College Board, which sets AP curriculum standards and conducts nationwide exams each spring, is reviewing the courses in response to calls from colleges and universities about ensuring the rigor of AP classes, officials said.

Eduwonk has additional comments

Posted by Jim Zellmer at August 8, 2005 12:50 PM
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