SMUHSD 2021 AP Testing Schedule Needs to be Changed Now

5 years ago Featured

We’re in California, with some tents put up for shade, they could take the tests outside! I would be happy to volunteer to supervise if volunteers were needed to make it work.

The AP exams should be scheduled in May, not after school is out. It's been a very difficult year for our students, and they need to be able to enjoy their summer break. In-person exams should also be an option. Thanks for reconsidering your decision.

Did you check with students and parents before announcing this schedule? Please consider moving AP tests back during the school schedule.

Please re-consider this decision that does not take students' needs into consideration. We know based on a growing mound of scientific evidence that it is possible to create a safe environment for students to take the test in person. In the absolute best case scenario, there will barely be 300 students on campus at the time of these tests, which is hardly a hinderance to AP students being able to take their tests in person. Finally, please allow our students to have their full summer. They have never needed it more. Thank you for your consideration.

Please allow students to take in person at the typical time. This can be done safely. The CDC says at the Red Tier our high schools should be open full time - we certainly can do an in-person, one day test. Our children do not need one more stress. It is also outrageous that the online version is AFTER school lets out.

The teachers and students have worked tirelessly this year to master the curricula and concepts for these classes. Even if the District doesn’t care about the AP students, shouldn’t it at least care about the AP teachers and their sense of achievement? My oldest daughter took Calc BC, physics 1 and physics C mechanics last year at home and it wasn’t ideal—BUT at least she did not have to type in tricky symbols to submit and could also go back and review her answers. The online version proposed by the District is the even worse and horrendous for math and science students. It has my next daughter taking 3 exams in one day, if that’s even possible. There has been much needed emphasis on the wellness of our teens during these ‘unprecedented times’—why does SMUHSD choose an option that is the MOST stressful and anxiety provoking? Set our kids up for success and so they can take the test (that they registered to take as the early May administration) and then move on with whatever they would like to explore in the summer—be it reading a pleasure book, working at Safeway, visiting a beach, or helping their communities.

Please rethink this decision and allow for in school AP test in May

In an extraordinarily challenging year, it is the professional and ethical responsibility of SMUHSD to facilitate the AP testing process for all students by administrating the paper and pencil versions of the test, per the College Board's recommendation. Anything less is a disservice to each and every student.

Please keep the student's interests first and reschedule the AP test back to the original in-person paper tests in May. Our student's have gone through a lot this past year, it is very tiring for a student that takes multiple AP's to sit through each of these tests (~ 3hrs/test) on a single day.

As a teacher and a parent of a Senior, I believe we need to come up with a better AP testing option. This is unfair and inequitable.

This has nothing to do with what teachers want. This was decided by the District.

5 years ago Featured

I feel these tests are stressful enough for the student to prepare for and execute that adding the possibility of application and network issues invalidating their their responses is not worth introducing. I am also concerned how the student will be able to properly enter free form responses for the math and science subjects. Thank you

All efforts should be made to ensure AP exams are administered in-person. I fail to see how in-person AP exams cannot be held even in a COVID environment.

Very surprised that the district has made a decision which doesn't set its OWN students up for success. I question how much attention is being paid to equity in technology resources, support, and student well being. The fact that some students will have to take same-day, back to back tests is a recipe for stress. We must absolutely allow students to take in-person AP testing before the school year ends. The current schedule reflects a lack of recognition re: the amount of effort students have had to expend to reach the AP test. Who actually believes that students shouldn't be able to revisit a problem and/or check their own work? I can't imagine what I'd say to my son if a technical glitch occurs during his test and compromises all the hard work he invested in his preparations.

Please change AP exams to be scheduled back in May and not after school has ended.

Do the right thing and look out for your AP kids. The online testing is a huge disadvantage.

5 years ago Featured

Extending half the exam dates into June needlessly disadvantages our students. The schools should easily be able to accommodate in person testing, with appropriate distancing. Students will be masked, and by definition, not talking, so with teachers all vaccinated, risk is non material. Let’s support our students efforts, rather than disadvantage them!

5 years ago Featured

Imagine studying for an entire year only to fail due to a technical glitch. This is unacceptable, as schools can easily accommodate testing sites 6’ apart, masked, with open doors in May. It to mention that skipping difficult questions and returning to them as time permits is essential in these tests and will be unavailable.

Stop ignoring and seeking to put in the least amount of effort required for your high achieving students. They deserve your best efforts the same all students.

Kids need to be in school. Police, fire, EMT’s are working with public. Give teachers ultimatum. Get back in class or move on and make room for teachers that want to teach.