Adding More Options than A.P. Math
By Natalie Sarsfield
By Natalie Sarsfield
Choosing classes is always a stressful time as you determine the course and courses of the next year especially as college approaches. As I picked my classes for senior year, I knew I wanted to take courses that would actually prepare me for my major — communications. Due to this, a lack of interest and a 0-4 schedule, I opted out of science and balanced my classes with three academic classes — English, math and government — and two electives.
However, since I am a year ahead of the math curriculum, after completing Pre Calculus Honors junior year I was forced into either A.P. Statistics or A.P. Calculus. I have never been a huge fan of math but I felt like it was a necessary addition to my schedule despite already completing the graduation requirements.
After spending a semester in A.P. Statistics, I found myself wishing that I had been given a different option that would still allow me to advance in math but without the pressure of another A.P. course. It is simply not a great fit for every student. While I’m not by any means bad at math, that doesn’t mean I necessarily fit into an A.P. math environment and the way classes are currently set up forces students like me to either take their first A.P. math course or no math at all.
Our English department recognizes this issue, and after A.P. Language and Composition junior year, students can take one of three courses, A.P. Literature and Composition, Latino Literature or ERWC, giving students a way to find the class that fits their plans.
Going into senior year, I was not prepared to take an A.P. math class but I felt like there was no other option for me. Instead, I wish there was a regular statistics class or even an introductory class. That way, I would still be prepared for the classes I will have to take in college but I wouldn’t be forced to learn these preparatory concepts at such an advanced level that in the simplest of terms does not benefit every student.
However, since I am a year ahead of the math curriculum, after completing Pre Calculus Honors junior year I was forced into either A.P. Statistics or A.P. Calculus. I have never been a huge fan of math but I felt like it was a necessary addition to my schedule despite already completing the graduation requirements.
After spending a semester in A.P. Statistics, I found myself wishing that I had been given a different option that would still allow me to advance in math but without the pressure of another A.P. course. It is simply not a great fit for every student. While I’m not by any means bad at math, that doesn’t mean I necessarily fit into an A.P. math environment and the way classes are currently set up forces students like me to either take their first A.P. math course or no math at all.
Our English department recognizes this issue, and after A.P. Language and Composition junior year, students can take one of three courses, A.P. Literature and Composition, Latino Literature or ERWC, giving students a way to find the class that fits their plans.
Going into senior year, I was not prepared to take an A.P. math class but I felt like there was no other option for me. Instead, I wish there was a regular statistics class or even an introductory class. That way, I would still be prepared for the classes I will have to take in college but I wouldn’t be forced to learn these preparatory concepts at such an advanced level that in the simplest of terms does not benefit every student.