Teaching, Learning, and Testing
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Wow...i was searching, searching, searching for a good blog topic this week and finally picked up my latest copy of US New & World Report. Tucked away near the end of the mag was an article that caught my eye: Some High Schools Are Dropping Out of the Advanced Placement Program. That sounded like an interesting article, and it was. I encourage you to read it (first). But what really socked me in the eye as a history teacher was reading another piece mentioned in that US News article...
Tom Stanley-Becker was a Junior last year in one of the best private high schools in the US, taking an Advanced Placement course in US History for college credit and probably hoping it would help him get into a good college -- until he intentionally dropped out the course so he could learn about US history.
!!!!!! -- ????!?!?!?!???!
He wrote an op-ed piece for the LA Times, which they titled Bursting the AP Bubble. His comments make VERY interesting reading -- and boy do they challenge me! You will find it interesting, guaranteed; after all, this was just last spring and he's the same age as you are. For this blog, respond to what he says and to what educators call "teaching to the test" -- and don't be afraid to comment on the way i run our US History class (i'm a big boy, i think i can take it 
). Seniors, you were through the whole course last year; being on the
other side now (i.e., finished), yours is an especially valuable perspective.
Remember: This is the start of me grading your blogs. If you respond like most of you have been, you'll get at least a 90, probably more. To get a 100, respond thoughtfully, quote and resond to the authors, comment on your classmates' opinions (even if that means a second posting by you), and/or respond early.
Blessings! You're a great bunch.
