A version of this story appears on TheDailyNorwalk.com
Half of Norwalk students who took Advanced Placement exams in high school last year passed them. But Superintendent Susan Marks would like to see that number closer to 70 percent. “A lot of things have to add up in our system for kids to be taking and performing well on AP exams,” says Marks who thinks participation in AP courses and passing rates of the exam are important measures for the school system.
Advanced Placement classes, available in a variety of subjects, are considered college level classes. High school students often receive college credit if they pass the AP exam taken at the end of a course. Taken mainly by seniors and some juniors, the exams are graded 1 to 5. Typically, 3 and above is considered passing. Earlier this week, 44 Norwalk students--33 from Norwalk High and 11 from Brien McMahon-- were designated as AP Scholars, meaning they scored at least 3 on three AP exams.
The Central Office has not been tracking AP test data, but Marks plans to change that and says she’ll present information on last year’s AP exam results and SAT scores to the Board before the end of the year.
In addition to raising the number of students who pass the exam, Marks wants to increase the number of students taking the exam, especially minority students. According to data by the College Board, overall as well as minority participation has increased over the years. For example, in 2009-2010, 359 Norwalk students took AP exams compared to 206 in 2005-2006. “I’d like to see every senior take at least one AP class,” says Marks.
In 2009-2010, 36 percent of those who took the exam were minority students-- 11 percent more Blacks and 23 percent more Hispanics took the exam than in 08-09. Marks is encouraged by the upward trend but hopes for improvement. “That still doesn’t match the diversity in our schools. We need to make sure that we are taking away any barriers and low level classes that prevent minority kids from taking these classes,” she says.
Marks intends to drill down on the AP test results. She has requested a list of scores per school and by subject matter. “We need to find out which teachers are preparing their kids to take the test and which teachers need more training,” says Marks. She has reached out to the College Board representatives in CT and set up meetings with them for the high school staff.
In addition, Marks is adding a line item in next year’s budget that will pay for all tenth graders to take the PSAT. Marks says the PSATs are a predictive measure of how a student will do on the SAT and a good tool to focus study. “I want to get the kids started on taking these tests. Usually, each time they take them they get better,” says Marks.
“We expect our kids to be ready for college, “ says Marks. “We have to help them get there.”
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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The central office hasn't been tracking AP performance? What's up with that? Their emphasis for years has been on data and on the achievement gap and on the need to increase minority enrollment in advanced courses. How would they not be tracking AP scores?
ReplyDeleteSo far, the superintendent has done some good things. I think she is proving to be a good choice.
I agree. I think she is a good choice and has the best intentions.
ReplyDeleteI am not certain where the money will come from for some of the ideas she has put forth. Don't know if she really understands how hard the recession has hit the average Norwalk taxpayer. We do allocate a comparable $ amount per child as our neighbors but most of our dollars are spent on salaries and benefits. Our neighboring towns also don't need to subsidize poverty level citizens. Still, I am hopeful that she can make the necessary changes.
oh,this site must be getting terribly boring to the masses since there has been very few comments the last few days.
ReplyDeletecould it be that Dr. Marks is putting the regular bloggers to work?
It could be that the Norwalk BoE finally hired a good superintendent, and so the internal people don't feel the need to complain. And I am not a board employee.
ReplyDeleteA.P. test data not tracked? In this
ReplyDeletedata-tracking-happy district? Really?
Okay, now that I've picked up my jaw off the floor... Yes, A.P. classes are college-level yet they are taught by high school teachers who are just that: high school teachers. They are not college professors and, but for some exceptions, the level of their skills falls way short of the level required by the rigor, depth, and breadth of the A.P. curriculum. Ms. Marks is well-advised to conduct a review of the A.P. teachers' training and let us all in on what she finds out.
The question that 3:52 brings up is critical. I have often asked why should AP classes be offered to sophmores when then are only learning to acclimate to the high school curriculum. For those who don't know, good students are encouraged to take AP classes in lieu of basic curriculum or introductory classes. The reality is most of our high school teachers don't have doctorates - most college professors do. Are these kids really receiving college level instruction? Who are these programs pleasing - overachieving parents?
ReplyDeleteWhy shouldn't sophmores take AP classes if they want to? They're not acclimating to high school, they've already been there for a year. And for heaven's sake, if a child wants to take a challenging course, why on earth would you stop him/her? Expectations are pathetically low for so many Norwalk students. A student who wants to do more should be celebrated, not dissuaded - regardless of how they eventually score on the exam.
ReplyDeleteThere is no educationally sound reason for denying any capable student the opportunity to take an AP course. Although it is uncommon, even freshmen have been known to take and succeed in AP courses and succeeding on the rigorous AP exams. Were it not a violation of confidentiality, I could offer the names of grade 9 and 10 students in Norwalk who have done exceptionally well.
ReplyDeleteBy saying this, I am not recommending that the door should be open wide for first and second year students to take these courses; I am saying only that automatic exclusion of anyone, based upon an arbitrary standard, is a mistake.