When my older son was in 8th grade, in 2004, we met with a counselor about these AP classes. My son had mono and missed about 10 days of his math AP class. The teacher stated unless he was a very driven student, he would not be able to catch up to the class. He was not driven.
Also the counselor related a story to us concerning a minority student in this AP class. She was shunned by her friends, ignored at lunch, and never included in any social activities because of her AP class. She was labeled a “coconut” at school. She ended up dropping out of the advanced class.
My younger son was supposed to get an award (along with others) for getting all “A”s for the year.(7th grade, 2008) He told us it meant nothing. Many of the kids had gotten a B, some multiple times. The school was using the year’s average to determine qualification. If they didn’t they would not have very many getting the award.
Lastly, why put a child in a class that he or she cannot handle. Why set a child up for failure? What can that do for their self esteem? Stop a lawsuit, sacrifice the children. I guess the class could be made easier……
I live and grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast, south down the coast from Galveston about 50 miles.Country town.
