Many students are weighing which classes to consider for their next year. Students have a wide variety of class types to choose from—core curriculum, primary courses, electives. There are varying levels as well, including non-honors, honors, AP, and dual enrollment (online).
How do you help a student choose the right classes to succeed? The question revolves around outcome, and for most students eyeing a college degree, their choices could have a big impact. The more rigorous the coursework the better, but there is no silver bullet.
“You definitely want to show a strong foundation with the basics,” said Envision Academic Officer Andrew Potter. “It is important to show strength in core curriculum classes. Think about math, science, English, history, and three years of a foreign language, and then electives.”
Rigor, Trends, and Options
Caption: Columbia University
Yale University notes that rigor in course selection and larger trends in a student’s performance history. Because each student and school district is different, Yale considers the options available to a student in its evaluations.
For example, a ninth grade honors student may be eligible for honors or AP classes. According to Yale, the more rigorous choice (AP) will better benefit them. And of course, students can earn college credit with some courses.
In 800+ schools across the country, students can opt for an International Baccalaureate (IB) program instead of AP. The differences between the two programs are important to understand. An AP course tends to be a “deep dive” into a subject, while an IB Course takes more of a global perspective over time and from a wider variety of sources. Like AP, some colleges accept IB course work for credit.
Not all students are eligible for AP or IB classes if they are not in an honors program. Similarly, in some Common Core states, the math curriculum may prevent a student from taking AP Calculus. And some schools simply do not offer AP or IB classes. That is when students may want to consider dual enrollment courses.
Dual Enrollment for All?
Success in dual enrollment demonstrates a student’s ability to handle college level course work. This makes it an attractive option for those who do not have access to AP or IB classes. In addition, dual enrollment has secondary benefits, including accumulating credits for a college degree or even earning an associate’s degree simultaneously with a high school diploma.
There may be some discrepancies with dual enrollment. One district may not honor another district’s student without compensation. One university’s credits may not be accepted by another university. It’s important to have a discerning eye when it comes dual enrollment courses.
Some new studies do show that students perform better when they have in-person classes. In California, dual enrollment online students have been shown to lag behind their peers in completing courses (regardless of grade), with passing grades and with grades of A or B. Chances of success should be considered when opting for an AP or honors class over dual enrollment.
What are your thoughts about the many opportunities facing students today?
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