College Board Set to Unveil Changes to AP Biology Courses
On February 1, the College Board is scheduled to release major revisions to the AP Biology courses; however, changes to the AP U.S. History courses are being delayed for another year in order to garner more support from high school teachers. The Biology course changes will take effect in 2012-13, while the U.S. History course changes are scheduled for 2013-14. The AP program has grown in recent years, and now includes 1.8 million students who sat for 3.2 million tests in 2010. The changes to the course curricula seek to address criticisms that they overwhelm students with facts; the Board intends to overhaul all of its science, history and language courses over the next several years. While this has proven somewhat easier with the Biology courses, it has been more difficult in the U.S. History course, where facts and chronology are vital to an overall understanding of the subject. While 85% of those high school history teachers surveyed approved of the new history curriculum, the Board is going to give it another try in order to get at least a 90% approval level.
For more information, click hereAP Testing
Advance Placement (AP) exams will be given this week and next week, May 7-18. These exams are crucial, as colleges generally weigh students' exam scores as part of the admissions process. High AP exam scores (typically 3-5, more often 4-5) can also allow students to place out of certain college courses and obtain credit towards the graduation requirement. Good luck to all!!