Students Share Concerns During AP Teaching And Learning Listening Session, Fairfax County

Press release from Fairfax County Public Schools:

February 02, 2021

On January 28, five FCPS high school students representing each region of the district had the opportunity to speak with the College Board about their experiences taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses amid a global pandemic. The virtual AP Teaching and Learning Session was arranged following stories of student stress this year that have been highlighted in several School Board meetings by student representative Nathan Onibudo.

The purpose of the session was to provide AP program stakeholders with an opportunity to listen to experiences of AP students learning virtually during this pandemic, and for FCPS to advocate for AP course content reductions, shortened exams, and flexible testing options this school year. Stakeholders present to listen included Trevor Packer, vice president of AP Instruction, FCPS Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand, and two higher education representatives.

Students spoke about how the competitive college admissions process drove them to take AP courses, and how the all-day virtual school experience, reduced class schedule, and home responsibilities has made mastering AP course content and skills incredibly difficult.

The College Board shared that AP exams and AP course content tested will not be reduced this year. There will be three testing date options for each exam: early May, late May, or early June. On each date there will be the option to test at school or at home, and students may choose to cancel their AP exam(s) without penalty. A College Board announcement with the full details of the spring 2021 AP testing is expected on February 4.

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For more information, contact Rebecca Small at rdsmall@fcps.edu.

This press release was produced by the Fairfax County Public Schools.The views expressed here are the author’s own.