University, college officials criticize high school AP courses
Janhavi Purohit
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
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DiNardo affirmed his approval of Drexel's current AP credit policy, which states that students must receive a four or five on an AP exam and must also receive an advisor's approval to place into a higher-level course.
DiNardo said that Drexel's policy on AP credit is good in that it requires a review of the student's background.
"A five on an AP is quite good, but what we need to see is if the student has done well in other placement exams to make sure the entire profile is consistent," DiNardo said. "It's important to note that a lot of schools are questioning the process, and it's important to note that one needs to make an assessment that's broader and goes beyond just that scope."
However, Mark Greenberg, Dean of the Pennoni Honors College, said that while it may be true that AP courses may not always prepare the incoming college freshman, it is a difficult question to answer.
"An AP course taught by a very good instructor with very good materials could be worthwhile and prepare students for a college-level course. An AP course taught by an unprepared, unqualified, incapable instructor, and/or using materials that are substandard for a university course would not be a very good AP course. So it's impossible to tell whether a particular course is producing what it promises, which is an equivalent to a college or university level course. You'd have to examine the curriculum, the texts, the activities, who's teaching, how they're qualified. These are very complicated questions," Greenberg said.
Results of the audit, including a list of AP courses, are available on collegeboard.com.
DiNardo said that Drexel's policy on AP credit is good in that it requires a review of the student's background.
"A five on an AP is quite good, but what we need to see is if the student has done well in other placement exams to make sure the entire profile is consistent," DiNardo said. "It's important to note that a lot of schools are questioning the process, and it's important to note that one needs to make an assessment that's broader and goes beyond just that scope."
However, Mark Greenberg, Dean of the Pennoni Honors College, said that while it may be true that AP courses may not always prepare the incoming college freshman, it is a difficult question to answer.
"An AP course taught by a very good instructor with very good materials could be worthwhile and prepare students for a college-level course. An AP course taught by an unprepared, unqualified, incapable instructor, and/or using materials that are substandard for a university course would not be a very good AP course. So it's impossible to tell whether a particular course is producing what it promises, which is an equivalent to a college or university level course. You'd have to examine the curriculum, the texts, the activities, who's teaching, how they're qualified. These are very complicated questions," Greenberg said.
Results of the audit, including a list of AP courses, are available on collegeboard.com.
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