In the Washington Post blog “The Answer Sheet” Jack Schneider, assistant professor of education at the College of the Holy Cross, wrote aboutthe limitations of of the Advanced Placement program.
Though he noted that the AP has progressed since its inception in the 1960s—for example, a more diverse student body continues to gain access to classes, and the classes are better preparation for college courses than ever before—Schneider wrote, “The problem, however, is that AP can do very little to actually realize those aims.”
Schneider noted that for years, education policy reformers have “tried to use the program as a lever for giving under-served students a college admissions edge.” However, he also explained that most AP courses are offered at both private and suburban schools, failing “to promote real parity between the education haves and have-nots.”
Schneider lauded the AP commitment to offer more rigorous courses, but countered that this “will do little to improve teaching and learning, especially at schools with low-levels of instructional and administrative capacity.” Overall, Schneider contended that AP courses have their rightful place in the classroom, but that more efforts are needed in order to make education as effective as possible.
This ‘Holy Cross in the News’ item by David Cotrone ’13.
