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Friday, November 7, 2008
Should colleges accept AP credits?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Visit many high schools and you’ll see an increasingly large number of students taking college-level Advanced Placement classes. These courses resemble introductory college classes and are offered in 22 subjects.
Many students sign up for the courses thinking that if they pass the AP exam, colleges will exempt them from taking certain courses.
Students could start college with a full semester or year’s worth of classes. This could allow them to graduate early and save money or even have the time to pick up a second major within four years.
But over the past few years a number of colleges have re-evaluated whether to accept AP credit. Some college officials have said students weren’t ready for the rigor of a true college curriculum.
Others say colleges don’t take the credit because they’re afraid of losing money from students who could graduate early or at least on time. Some say colleges are insulted that high school teachers teach college-level classes.
The debate over AP classes could become louder as President-elect Barack Obama has made increasing access to these courses part of his education platform.
Should AP credits be guaranteed?
