tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post4793313936228840774..comments2024-03-28T18:32:05.933-04:00Comments on bensozia: The New AP Test Framework is Becoming a Lightning RodJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-73993897133575849562014-09-26T23:31:42.253-04:002014-09-26T23:31:42.253-04:00The same irrational nonsense has surfaced here in ...The same irrational nonsense has surfaced here in Lancaster County, VA, where the new chair of the board of education has also attacked the AP US History framework.<br /><br />Here is the letter to the editor I wrote that was printed in our local (weekly) paper:<br /><br />I'd like to correct some misapprehensions about Advanced Placement courses:<br />First, critics should Google "AP US history requirements" and read the actual document used by school districts and teachers who offer AP U.S. History.<br /><br />The College Board provides a description, not a prescription: "The AP U.S. History course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills . . . and an understanding of content learning objectives organized around seven themes . . . . In line with college and university US history survey courses' increased focus on early and recent American history and decreased emphasis on other areas, the AP U.S. History course expands on the history of the Americas from 1491 to 1607 and from 1980 to the present. It also allows teachers flexibility across nine different periods of U.S. history to teach topics of their choice in depth."<br /><br />Notice that the AP course and exam reflect what college courses expect from their students, since high scores on the exam earn college credits.<br /><br />[NOTE: some of the yahoos around here blamed the Common Core for this change, since now the CC has become anathema to the Right.] The Common Core Standards cover math and language arts; there is no "history" Common Core.<br />Since there is no "curriculum" for AP U.S. History, there certainly is no bypassing of American heroes. Examples in the AP document are simply illustrations. Nor does the AP limit study to any side of any issue; rather, the course expectations include thorough examination of many sides.<br />The purpose of the AP U.S. History course is to allow students to begin exploring areas of U.S. history that receive less focus in K-12 classes. However, 90% of the course and exam focuses on the period between 1607 and 1980.<br /><br />So all those things Dr. Westbrook says are not part of the AP course? They're included.<br /><br />pootrsoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05975929246429466067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-67726492537526691782014-09-26T21:17:08.983-04:002014-09-26T21:17:08.983-04:00Isn't it both sides? Keep the ideology out of...Isn't it both sides? Keep the ideology out of the curriculum. A positive view of the country can be factual but not "true" because of what is left out. The same can be said for an approach that focuses on the negative. Didn't you just have a conversation about the need for history to examine both the positive and negative? Science is all the rage, but we need a good humanities program to produce informed citizens.<br />Shadowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353532874773316117noreply@blogger.com