[neact] Re: AP Chemistry

Hi!
Whether that is generally the case, for the greater part of my students, having 
students take a first year of regular chemistry would allow them to internalize 
more of the advanced ideas in the AP class. AP is so fast paced and content 
driven that there is little time to spend doing any of the type of instruction 
that I believe to be "Best Teaching Practice." We don't have AP at my 
school-instead students sign up for Honors Challenge-a set of standards that 
extend beyond the regular curriculum. When I teach about "Factors that 
Influence the Rates of Reactions" only those students are learning to use the 
quadratic to calculate equilibrium expressions, etc. Students that don't 
participate use Spec-20's for quantitative measurements in lab 
activities-Honors Chalenge students learn about Beer's Law., etc. I believe in 
the "Less is More" philosophy and have not had any complaints from my students 
who have taken Chem in college later on. The drive for AP courses in high 
school is bound up with many more objectives such as having a transcript look 
good-in terms of lasting knowledge I believe recent studies have shown that 
having an AP chem course in college is not a predictor for advanced 
achievement. It would be interesting to see what correlation there is for 
students that took both a regular and AP course is....
Regards 
Dave Crockett
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Meledath Govindan 
  To: neact@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 12:18 PM
  Subject: [neact] AP Chemistry


  Dear Colleagues,



  Perhaps you can enlighten me regarding my question about AP Chemistry.  I was 
of the impression that AP chemistry is generally taught after the students have 
taken a year of chemistry.  Is this true?  I know at least one school system 
where AP Chemistry is taught in lieu of an Honors Chemistry and students have 
been struggling.  As a result, not many are signing up for that course and 
dropping down to the next level, where they (otherwise honors students) are not 
being challenged.  I would appreciate receiving some feedback from my HS 
chemistry colleagues.  Thanks.



  Mel



  Meledath Govindan, Ph.D.

  Professor of Chemistry

  Fitchburg State College

  160 Pearl St. 

  Fitchburg, MA 01420

  (978)-665-3628 (Office)

  (978)-665-3578 (FAX)

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