The Ledger Independent - Maysville, Kentucky -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 2/9/2006
Last Visited: 2/10/2006
At Mason County High School, guidance counselor Erin Neal said the number of students taking the AP examinations at the end of the courses increase every year.
...
Next year, Neal said the district plans to add an AP physics course.
...
However, Neal said the number may be off because some students enroll in multiple courses.Of the group, 20 to 30 students will likely take the examinations at the end of the year.
The exams have a ,90 price tag, though some students qualify for a state waiver and can take the exam for ,52.Then, if the students score three or higher, the school board reimburses students for ,45 of the cost.
Neal attributes the growing interest in AP courses to the increasing number of benefits attached to the classes.The courses have a weighted grading scale, meaning if a student does well and earns an A in the class, the A earns five points on a five-point scale, rather than the usual four-point scale used in the high school.
"It helps your GPA if you do well in (the classes)," Neal said.
Also, the state now offers a Commonwealth Diploma Program, which is awarded to students who complete basic high school requirements, as well as a pre-college curriculum and four AP courses.They must score a C or higher in the courses, then take exams for three of the courses, earning a three or higher.
Last year, two students earned the commonwealth diploma.This year, Neal said five times as many students earned the diploma.These 10 students will be eligible for certain scholarship funds awarded by colleges for students who hold the commonwealth diploma.
Additionally, students who scored a four or higher on their tests receive the AP scholar award.Outstanding students, both Harding and Neal received the awards.
Statewide, in 2004 nearly 9,500 students took AP exams, jumping to nearly 10,400 the following year.The number of minority students taking the exams continue to grow as well.In 2004, the number of African American students taking the exams statewide was at 355.In 2005, that number was at 410.
However, in Mason County, Neal said last year only one minority student took an AP exam, and that student did not score above a three.
Neal said the school consists of approximately 10 percent minority population, so one student taking the exam is not unexpected.
No students are excluded from the programs, though typically Neal said she recommends the courses for students who have achieved higher grades in previous courses.
Harding recommends any student who believes they can complete the courses and do well on the exams to try.
"I think it's been really rewarding," she said.
4 online sources [ view sources ]
Profile is not claimed [ claim profile ]
