VOL. XXVIII, NO. 2

by Amy Sharman

Comparing the '85 to '86 year scores of Advanced Placement (AP) tests at Maine West, the results increased in math and science and remained about the same in English and history while the percentage of district scores increased.

Mr. Randy Johnson, director of personnel services, states, "Alt hoI!gh our school enrollment has declined, the number taking the AP exams remains about the same. A greater percentage of students are taking AP courses.

Mr. Eric Edstrom, Social Science department chairman, adds that there has been an increase in enrollment of 5 percent in the last two years. "There are more students enrolled and more are receiving three to fives. Seventy percent of the students taking the AP tests at West received scores of three of better."

He continues to explain that "Maine West has been in the top 50 schools of the Middle West for the Advanced Placement programs and the district has exemplary schools for test results."

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the AP program at West. This school was one of the first to begin the advanced placement program. AP classes available at West include Biology, Chemistry, Math, English, European History, U.S. History and Computers.

Each AP teacher administers a national test to his students during May. After being graded by college and high school teachers, the tests are then given a score of one to five (five being the best).

Mr. Edstrom explains, "Most major universities will accept a three to a five. Some want only fours and fives." Mr. Dan Silkowski, English IV AP teacher, adds, "Universities that participate in the AP program usually award credit and/or placement for scores of three or more.

Taking advantage of West's AP program can lead to many positive opportunities. Mr. Edstrom explains that "some students start out as sophomores at colleges and can then go into graduate work early." The AP program enables West to "assist students in costs, identify students capable of doing college work immediately and assist them in a higher order of reading and writing skills."

Many West students who have taken AP classes and have done well on the tests have received a large number of credits from the college they attend. Even if the college that a student is looking at doesn't accept credit, many people still recommend that students take the classes.

Mr. Edstrom lists four reasons why AP classes should be taken although the college may not give credit. The first is that the school you're looking at which doesn't accept the test scores for credit may not be the school you eventually attend. The second is that "schools will use AP test scores and their own tests to evaluate the students.

The third reason is that universities often use these scores to place students in special college honors programs. Students in these programs often receive special privileges, have advanced courses and are taught by professors instead of graduate assistants.

The fourth reason listed is that the AP program "prepares our students for college. They are honed into reading, writing and research skills."

Mr. Edstrom adds that "colleges have become more competetive. They want AP and accelerated students."

Mrs. Shirley Aberg, career counselor, comments, "If you have AP classes, you're more desirable to colleges. Having an AP class with a B is better than taking an average class and getting an A."

She continues, "In an AP class the level of learning is much increased. Students do better on all their college tests. If you get the advantage of the AP program, it can help you place out of many classes (such as basic freshman classes that everyone is required to complete)

The AP program varies according to departments within the school, and there are some exceptions to the standards. The students in science classes begin with accelerated biology, then go to accelerated chemistry, accelerated physics and finally when they are seniors choose between AP Biology or AP Chemistry.

The math students begin their freshman year and if they stay in the accelerated track, they take Math IV AP their senior year. The English program works much the same. Students are able to move into or out of the accelerated track, but most are selected as incoming freshman to take accelerated classes and then move to the next level each year.

History classes are slightly different than the four year track of the math, English and science departments. Mr. Edstrom states that some students don't come into history classes until they're juniors. They are brought into the AP classes "based upon what they've done academically in all disciplines, principally English."

In all All classes students must take the AP test at the end of the year. Mr. Silkowski explains how he prepares his English IV AP class for the exam. "I try to give them as broad a background as I can in reading and writing experience by asking questions which require traditional literacy analysis and by stressing the importance of language and style.

"I try to make the course equivalent to a college freshman English course," he continues; "however, that becomes difficult because freshman classes vary from college to college.

Mr. Edstrom states, "In AP classes we try to prepare students for college and careers. It's a demanding, rigorous program. Students who expect it to be easy are surprised."

Mr. Johnson concludes, "It's hard work and takes a lot of commitment. The classes are worth it if students are academically able and willing to work."

"Students who do well at the AP level," says Mr. Silkowski, "usually do well in college."