Advanced Placement commonly abbreviated as AP is one of the most popular educational program in Florida. AP is more or less opted at college level and requires education at least up to 11th grade. Students obtain college credits through FLVS AP courses. Exams conducted in Florida State for this program is mostly in May. AP is a test to acquire a successful career in programs like AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science, AP English Lang & Comp, AP English Lit & Comp, AP Environmental Science, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP U.S. Government & Politics and AP U.S. History.
Amongst the all popular courses AP in History, Psychology, US Government and Economics are regarded as most popular courses as student opting for it include a large number from 200 to 500 students. The curriculum includes lectures by the professors and multiple choice questions. AP is basically a stepping stone for students into college life. This process brings some brightest and intelligent students to the college. AP though has over enrollment by students it always plays a vital role in shaping students for their college.
However the popularity of AP seems to be decreasing day by day. AP pass-out statistically seemed to have a rapid fall. This was more or less important as this made the students opt for tougher courses which benefitted their future. We get to see many students coaching themselves through teachers and applying for AP. This somehow enables the entrance of average students into competitive education programs. It in turn diminishes the performance and simultaneously the importance of the course.
According to the statistics in 2000 AP passage rate was about 55.6 % while in 2009 it tumbled down to 42.9% Amongst the 5 multiple choice questions scoring 3 is above college credit. AP is still regarded as a ticket to enter the colleges however it is required it is have a balance between passage rates and participation while state’s new grading formula have included the changes.
According to the AP teachers one can’t judge the caliber of the students through certain tests and large number of students makes transferring of information difficult task for the teachers. Government officials are now finding different methods to expand the classes which enables in preparing the students the rigidity of AP on one hand while reinforce the training of teachers on other hand. This process is expected to boost up the pass-out rates.
AP is still regarded as one of the best option to obtain a successful career in field of your choice. Every education system has benefits and drawbacks in it, it is just required to seriously analyze it and make productive changes in it as per the time demands. This is applicable to AP as well. As the basic problem revolving around AP is over enrollment, it is required by the government to make productive changes into the education pattern and distribution of faculty in order to bring back the earlier position of Advance Placements.