The Debate on Eliminating AP Courses

Lately, there has been a new movement by special groups and teachers alike for schools to eliminate offering AP classes in their High School curriculum as part of Racial Equity initiative movement that is happening all over the country.  From Southern California schools distinct to Rhode Island and Wisconsin,  some school districts have eliminated AP classes altogether.  The reasoning behind this movement has many folds.  The proponents  argue  for eliminating AP Classes; mainly the minority groups such as blacks and hispanics do not enroll in AP courses due to their socioeconomic factors that prevent them to enroll and excel in these courses.  Furthermore they feel they belong to a different tier and as a result they are discouraged in enrolling. These factors are completely out of their control thereby it creates a two system where the haves are able to enroll in AP courses and obtain grades and knowledge which in turn increases their chance of landing in a better college than have nots.  Thus, they argue, eliminating the AP courses will level the playing field for everyone.    The discrepancy of enrollment is significant.  For example, in the Culver City School district,  only 13% of Latino students are enrolled in AP Courses as opposed to 37% of the student body.  

The parents who are opposing this movement argue that eliminating AP courses does not necessarily lift those students who are not taking these courses. They say, this move most likely will impact the quality of teaching across the school in a negative fashion without actually helping the students the school is trying to help.  This new policy might have other unintended consequences and as a result may have an opposite effect than it was intended.   For example, colleges may start looking at other factors in determining acceptance  besides how many AP courses each student is taking and instead use another factor which may be even more challenging for students with Latino and Black students.  They colleges could reemphasize on ACT or SAT scores or the high school teachers may be forced to score and grade based on bell curve, they argue.  Regardless of what the ultimate decision for the school system is, this is a fascinating discussion that is just beginning to form. 

Person. (2023, February 17). To increase equity, school districts eliminate honors classes. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee