Kudos to students protesting disparity in school district GPA policy
A group of Morgan Hill Unified School District students is protesting a policy adopted in 2006 and enforced this year related to advanced placement and honors classes.
The policy allows students who take honors classes to receive a boosted grade-point average without completing a state certification test, while requiring students who take AP classes to take the test to receive the grade boost.
It's heartening to see the students take a stand on this issue and we applaud them for having the courage to speak up.
Only offer two levels of courses - regular and AP classes
We probably don't need to remind you that the district faces a budget crunch and is having a difficult time meeting all of its obligations. We think one method to save money and simplify the curriculum is to eliminate honors courses and keep regular and AP courses. There's no sense in having three tiers of classes. If students want the grade boost or college credit, they have to take the state test. If they don't want to take the test, they have the regular classes. There are times when we all have to make choices in life, and this is one of those times.
Policy hurts students taking more rigorous classes
The district encourages students to take AP classes. The University of California approves honors classes. UC controls the approval and gives the grade bump. Not all districts give the bump for honors classes. They let the UC do it when they see the class grades on the transcript.
The district strongly recommends to schools offering AP classes that students take the exam to insure alignment with College Board expectations. The district argues that the purpose of AP classes is not for the grade bump but rather for students to experience the rigor of a college course and have the opportunity to receive college credit.
There's nothing wrong with requiring testing with the AP classes to receive the grade bump, but there is an $85 cost per class to take the AP exam. The district pays for students who meet the state requirement for low income through the state's AP Test Fee Reimbursement Program. But others who take more than five such classes, and are not considered low income, are at a disadvantage.
There's merit in the advanced curricula, but also in the testing. In these days when we are measured by an assortment of metrics, the testing can measure a student's performance and provide direction on course content. Furthermore, in the world of education where it seems the goal is for students to be average, we strongly support the availability of the AP courses and the students who take them.
Act now
Contact the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Education by calling (408) 201-6000 or e-mailing the trustees by visiting mhu.k12.ca.us.
