| Should the school limit APs per student? No (5/05) | | Print | |
| Written by Beatriz Datangel | |
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Every May, hordes of students crowd the halls, huddling over Cracking the AP books. Heated discussions of the exams fill the libraries and hallways, and lines swell in front of review sessions, at least a mod early, as students hustle to get good seats. This chaos and anxiety begins the year before many students choose to enroll in a large number of AP classes. Recently, members of the school community have discussed limiting the number of APs a student can take every year. Many are worried that students pile on too many APs, resulting in stress, and an unhealthy emphasis on high AP scores rather than on learning. However, it should remain the students’ choice to choose their workload. Students who take APs may not feel adequately challenged by regular classes. Since our school is the fourth-largest AP-testing center in the world, according to the College Board, it is obvious that Lowell students like to challenge themselves.  Taking AP classes can help students gain admission to selective colleges, increasing their chances against other students competing for a spot. “Selective colleges expect applicants to challenge themselves with the most demanding opportunities available at their high schools,” counselor Harlan Edelman said. “They certainly want to see AP courses as part of the student’s program, and they like to see good grades earned in those courses.” AP classes not only prepare students for college, but they can also help them save money. Especially in the University of California system, students may be able to earn graduation credits. An AP test costs $82, while a college course can cost over $1,000. In addition, some interesting courses are offered only as APs, including Environmental Science, European History and Statistics. An AP limit would mean that students would not be able to pursue their interest in these subjects. Another benefit of students being able totake more APs is that the school gets extra funding and prestige. The school was even ranked number one in the nation for high scores in AP Micro Economics, according to the College Board website. As a “college preparatory” alternative high school, Lowell should not hold back students by imposing an AP limit. |
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