But. This New York Times video opinion piece is so important to think about if you have teens that I put it here.
My daughter was born to take AP, or Advance Placement, courses. But, she didn't overdo it. A couple a year. That was it. She was after balance. Thank God. Some of her friends loaded up. Honestly, I don't know how they did it.
For those of you whose kids aren't in high school yet, you'll learn about these soon enough. They're intense, college level courses. They're followed by a national exam. Students who do well can get college credit. College admissions folks encourage kids to take AP classes to show their demonstrate their "academic rigor."
Man, if I had a dollar for every time I've heard that term in the past year, I could pay my daughter's tuition. For four years.
My son? I don't know. I guess I assumed he'd have to take them just to prepare for his college application process. Now after watching this video opinion piece, I'm rethinking that.
He's a kid who needs his sleep.
I wouldn't want to be a teenager right now.
I'm with you Trish! We NEVER studied the way our kids do! We get to see the kids to eat dinner and then they do homework until they drop into bed...only to get up at 5 for school the next day! My husband say they will think college is a breeze with their study habits! We can only hope!
ReplyDeletePatty from TX
I so agree with you! And it no longer starts with HS, in elementary school there are major tests to put you in the "right" group for math, reading and everything else.
ReplyDeleteBoo is going through some testing to see if she can go to the Gifted and Talented School in our district, and I am worried that it will freak her out! She is uber smart, but still!
I know that conflicted feeling. It's exciting when someone recognizes they're special in some way, but it feels like we just don't let kids be kids any more. You have good insticts and I bet Boo will let you know if it's too much.
ReplyDeleteUgh, all those AP classes! All the studying!! It was worth it tho. My son started at an Honors college this past fall as a sophomore, with a full ride. They do look at everything. Was it worth it? Yes, he says yes. He does think college is a breeze right now tho!!!
ReplyDelete-Sandy
Our 8th grader turned in her ninth grade class registration this week for highschool in the fall. I was so surprised to see one AP class available to ninth graders. She is our oldest child and while I have heard of AP classes, I assumed it was something for 11th and 12th graders. Our daughter did register for it. She wants to do it and a teacher wants her to do it but that doesn't mean it feels right to the mom.
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