FOHI’s AP Course System
AP classes are rigorous courses in which students are expected to learn and apply college level material in the short span of an academic school year. These courses require an immense level of dedication and time in order to complete all assignments given. Towards the end of the school year, all AP students take an AP test to evaluate their knowledge of the subject which they have learned all year.
Fontana High School has a system in place for its AP and Honor course registration. AP course enrollment is easily accessible by every single student that is on campus. No matter whether or not that a said student has taken a previous AP or Honor course, they are free to enroll to which ever AP course that is available. Basically, AP courses do not need any requirements to join. Now this allows a lot of opportunities for our Steelers to branch out and take advantage of FOHI’s large selection of AP classes. Although, this begs the question on whether or not this system is always a good thing.
A Rise in AP Students
Especially with this year alone, there has been a significant rise in the class sizes in AP courses. This is not stating that this is so much of a bad thing, but when delving deeper there are some aspects which are a little concerning. When asking certain AP teachers about their increased class sizes, many of them became worried about a decrease in quality for their classes. As one AP teacher stated, “I feel stretched thin.” This may not be a question on whether or not the students who apply to these courses are qualified, but a question on whether or not those teachers have enough resources to prepare every single one of their students for the AP test. More students enrolled in these courses lead to a bigger and louder environment for teachers to handle when compared to a typical AP classroom. Many teachers shared the view that a more successful AP class equates to a smaller classroom size, as those teachers are able to successfully encounter and work with each student. This may not be a possibility for larger AP classes that may even stretch into multiple periods.
What is Needed?
Of course, any AP student can be successful no matter what environment they are placed. Yet the question still stands, do these AP courses need more teachers assigned or need to have a system in place for those classes to have set requirements before joining?