English 11 Honors

zadsn08

Should English require a placement test to get into honors or AP/ACP? Or are grades in English, overall GPA, and teacher recommendations enough? What do you think?

akm08

No test. With all that criteria you mentioned, as well as the strict standards of both the AP and ACP program, I don't really think we need to beat a dead horse in order to ensure a good class.

ajc08

I agree with Kelsey. I don't think the test is really necessary. I think past grades and teacher recommendation are good. The teachers aren't going to add someone to an AP class if they don't think they're able. The test just seems like a formality. It works for freshman honors english, but for honors/AP english sophomore year and up is not necessary in my eyes.

zkg08

well, i just want to say....what if someone wanted to get INTO the class who wasn't inthe year before? i mean i guess you could just test those people to see if they had any potential....but what if there was only so much room? i think then it would be necessary to have the tests.

but thats just me

zef08

let's please not test! i feel like if we're already in the class and have been for a few years, then we're pretty well acclimated to the pace and work load. In response to karly, i think that if there are people coming into the class that have not been in before, maybe that's what drop/add time is for! if they get in there and realize that they probably aren't going to be able to keep up/enjoy it, then it should be their responsibility to get out while they can!

but like karly, that's just me! haha!

zsb08

i agree with karly. i think there should be tests for the HONORS classes, so that if people want to get in they can, and it can be an even playing field for everybody (dont the number of classes get smaller as you go up?) also, i think the tests can really be a good indicator of potential. cuz sometimes grades and how teachers percieve you is not how you really are, you know?

however, for ACP/AP i dont think there should be a test. most of the people signingup for these classes have been in the honors program for at least a year and they know full well what they are getting into. and if they are a newbie, i agree with emily that there is that drop/add period where they can get out if they think they are in over their heads

and i have an issue with drop/add...hello you really cant get a good feel for a class the first 2 weeks of school/semester...at that point your just deciding if the teacher annoys you or you want to have 5s and 7s instead of 3s and fives...its just stupid

zko08

ok well ... in a way to play devil's advocate... and to prolly get my head bitten off :)
I think we should have a test to get in at minimum for people's first year in honors or AP. there are very few things worse than being in an advanced class and feelling like you cant move at the pace of most of the class because there are one or two people who have to move more slowly. The point of honors is for those more adept in a particular subject so they won't be bored. I think too many times people want to take honors or AP just because it looks good. thats not really the point. now, what sort of test it should be is an excellent quesiton. personally, i don't think a timed essay test truly tells you how well i will do in an honors class.
i Do however, disagree with the fact that there are smaller and smaller numbers of students allowed to take honors as the years progress. i think tat if you want less seniors to take the class, then have less freshman. don't tell someone, you were god enough ur freshman year but not your sophmore. UNLESS someone proves that they somehow slipped by and are not really ready for the honors....