Open access likely to continue; but students expected to take test

NEWMAN – Students taking advanced courses at Orestimba can get an early start on accumulating their college credits – but only if they take the AP test.

Encouraging each and every AP student to take that test has emerged as one of the district’s overriding goals as the school works to refine and expand its advanced placement program, which has been the topic of extensive discussion at board meetings and workshops of late.

Some of those debates have addressed the merits of the current open access approach to AP courses versus a strict set of prerequisites required to gain admission, as well as whether the emphasis should be placed on taking the AP test for college credit.

Director of Curriculum Jeri Hamera said there is general agreement that AP courses will continue to largely be open access – but with clear standards which all students will be asked to meet, and an expectation that all take the test.

“If you are going to have access for all, you must still maintain the integrity of the AP course for your true high performers. We are not going to teach to the middle,” Hamera stressed. “You have students who enroll in AP courses for a variety of reasons. Some are in AP because it will help with their college applications. Some just want to try it, and some are academic superstars. I don’t think that the expectations should be different. Our thought is that if they are going to leap into the AP program, the expectation for the student really revs up. We don’t want to set up a culture where the kids are given a choice of opting out of the accountability piece.”

Open access to AP courses had been questioned at the board level.

Orestimba High English teacher Catherine Quittmeyer, addressing board members at a regular meeting and at a workshop on the AP questions, said the open access philosophy had been in place for many years.

“It was decided (in the mid-90s) that AP is not just to pass a test,” she said. “The enrichment piece is very important, and so it was open enrollment.”

Those struggling in the advanced setting are encouraged to transfer to a standard class.

The current transition for the AP program, with its emphasis on taking the test, does represent a paradigm shift, Hamera acknowledged at a board workshop.

“From 2004 on we have increased the number of students taking the test and passing it, although it is below the bar we want,” she commented. “The ideal would be that they all take the test, and they all pass it. Many parents don’t realize that AP can save them money (by allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school). Even if you take the test and do not pass, it still reflects favorably on your college application.”

The district is making resources available to help students offset the cost of taking the AP exam, Hamera noted. “We are removing the cost barrier, and there is no downside to attempting to pass the test,” she explained.

“That has been a big stumbling block in the past,” Quittmeyer noted, saying she was not opposed to requiring AP students to take the test if the district paid for it.

While the philosophy has been open access, Hamera added, AP courses such as math are part of a progression of courses which prepare students for the advanced studies. In the humanities, stand-alone AP courses can truly be open access to any student who wants to tackle the rigor of the curriculum.

“If it is open access to all, what supports are in place to help all students be successful while maintaining the pace and rigor? AP is not intended for students to struggle. It is intended for students to excel,” Hamera reflected. “The other issue is, are there students out there who could be successful but aren’t enrolled in AP courses?”

A grant program is providing resources to help Orestimba refine and expand its AP program.

Part of that work will be development of policies, practices and standards which guide the AP program. Professional development is still another component, and the grant funds can also help offset test fees.

The school itself is held accountable through the grant process.

“We have to show an increase in student numbers in AP, and a success rate of more students taking the test and passing the test,” Hamera explained.

Last year, according to data provided by Hamera, 57 of 91 students enrolled in AP courses at Orestimba took the test and nine passed.

“Nobody is disputing that we need to increase AP. We want to get more students involved and see more students taking the test,” she reflected. “The goal is to help students gain access to a seat in college.”