Mrs. Hamrick’s Counselor Corner

This article covers a study that researched what type of student is most likely to graduate from college.  It covers some very important points, including, once again, that high grades, participation (and success) in AP’s, and living on campus all contribute to a high success rate in college.

One of the largest studies ever to have been done on AP courses has shown that students who take AP courses do better in college.  Of course, this makes perfect sense when you think about it.  Students who take these challenging courses learn how to write more effectively, analyze content and synthesize it with what they already know, take good notes, STUDY (since many bright students often go through their school years without having to study), among many other things.  One thing that this study does not address (probably due to the fact that it was written last year) is the fact that AP courses are now being audited, which will have an even greater impact, since there will be more mandatory standardization across the nation to ensure that all AP students are learning the same material.  In the past, some schools have labeled courses “AP” but the content was not up to the standards to warrant the label.  Now, College Board is instituting some accountability to the schools to guarantee the quality of the curriculum.

Read this study - do you agree or disagree?  Are there any other positives  to taking AP courses?  Are there any negatives?