How much is too much?

Schedules full of AP classes stretch students

 

By Kaitlyn Rollins/News Editor

      and Lauren Hall/Staff Writer

 

            Advanced placement means more time, more work, and much more stress. Any student who wants to compete for a spot in the top ten percent, however, must take every pre AP, AP, and dual credit class the school offers.

 

            But how many of these high-level, high-demand classes should a student take each year? Should there be a limit or should students be allowed to challenge themselves without any boundaries? Most importantly, when does education become too focused on the GPA rather than learning?

 

            The following is a conversation in which two sophomores debate their views of getting the grade versus learning.

 

Kaitlyn: School has really gotten out of hand.

 

Lauren: I know. My classes are really bearing down on me! How do you think you did on that AP History quiz today?

 

Kaitlyn: Oh gosh. I don’t even know. I had to study for that PAP Algebra 2 quiz and the PAP Chemistry test too.

 

Lauren: Seriously! Do they TRY to put all the tests and quizzes on the same day??

 

Kaitlyn: Probably. Why do I even take all these classes?

 

Lauren: Yeah, they are pretty stressful…but I kind of like the challenge.

 

Kaitlyn: I like challenges, too, but I think there is a point where it goes from a fun challenge to inflicting stress on our lives that doesn’t necessarily need to be there.

 

Lauren: But I’m not necessarily in these classes for the grade.

 

Kaitlyn: I think school has changed from emphasis on learning things to more emphasis on getting a good grade or acing TAKS or just passing the exams so you can get into a good college. It’s pretty sad, but I guess I have changed with it.

 

Lauren: I agree in that the administration focuses on TAKS rather than learning, which education SHOULD mean. But the satisfaction I get when I really learn