Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Research
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=127&sid=3509a59f-4f98-4c57-851e-b66e11ed466a%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=eric&AN=EJ893892
This document is a study of the correlation between Advanced Placement tests scores of students in high school and their success in the first semester of their University life. This study shows that AP test scores better document the capabilities of a student as opposed to the outdated class ranking systems that high schools have adopted. The study stated that "Regardless of ethnicity, gender, class rank or SAT score, students with advanced placement earned higher first semester college GPAs than their counterparts with similar high school academic characteristics, but who lacked advanced placement credit". This document shows that AP test scores are a better indicator of academic achievement than any other score or category that the students fall into.
This document is a study of the correlation between Advanced Placement tests scores of students in high school and their success in the first semester of their University life. This study shows that AP test scores better document the capabilities of a student as opposed to the outdated class ranking systems that high schools have adopted. The study stated that "Regardless of ethnicity, gender, class rank or SAT score, students with advanced placement earned higher first semester college GPAs than their counterparts with similar high school academic characteristics, but who lacked advanced placement credit". This document shows that AP test scores are a better indicator of academic achievement than any other score or category that the students fall into.
Research
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=6&hid=122&sid=3509a59f-4f98-4c57-851e-b66e11ed466a%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=eric&AN=EJ780518
This document covers the system in which high schools rank students. Test scores, difficulty of courses, class rank, and grade point average are the top four indicators of student success when applying to universities. In the study, 80% of high schools use a weighted GPA to determine rank, 12.6% determine rank with an unweighted GPA, 5% use both, and 2.4% use no class rank. Some school districts implement a bonus unweighted where AP/ honors classes have an additional "weight" to the unweighted GPA. In addition, many large schools are faced with numerous Valedictorians due to ties in GPA for number one in class rank.
Class rank is seen to "provide colleges with a measure of relative class standing [and] to provide the student with extrinsic incentives to take appropriately challenging courses while in high school to adequately prepare the student for a college curriculum". Both are means to increase course difficulty for students in order to challenge themselves and force them to grow.
This document covers the system in which high schools rank students. Test scores, difficulty of courses, class rank, and grade point average are the top four indicators of student success when applying to universities. In the study, 80% of high schools use a weighted GPA to determine rank, 12.6% determine rank with an unweighted GPA, 5% use both, and 2.4% use no class rank. Some school districts implement a bonus unweighted where AP/ honors classes have an additional "weight" to the unweighted GPA. In addition, many large schools are faced with numerous Valedictorians due to ties in GPA for number one in class rank.
Class rank is seen to "provide colleges with a measure of relative class standing [and] to provide the student with extrinsic incentives to take appropriately challenging courses while in high school to adequately prepare the student for a college curriculum". Both are means to increase course difficulty for students in order to challenge themselves and force them to grow.
Research
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/MagazinesDetailsPage/MagazinesDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Magazines&disableHighlighting=false&prodId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE|A215121628&mode=view
The University of Colorado states that it will only admit students from the top 10 percent of their high school class. Many states have already implemented this policy, such as Florida admitting the top 20 percent and California admitting the top 4 percent. Texas universities have faced complaints that they admit a large percentage of students solely on their rank in school. School boards want a cap on students admitted solely by that policy. This policy has boosted minority enrollment in some states, but that was not the main purpose of the enacted policy. Colorado's new policy sets up a reachable criterion in which students are guaranteed admission.
The University of Colorado states that it will only admit students from the top 10 percent of their high school class. Many states have already implemented this policy, such as Florida admitting the top 20 percent and California admitting the top 4 percent. Texas universities have faced complaints that they admit a large percentage of students solely on their rank in school. School boards want a cap on students admitted solely by that policy. This policy has boosted minority enrollment in some states, but that was not the main purpose of the enacted policy. Colorado's new policy sets up a reachable criterion in which students are guaranteed admission.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Research
http://www.cbhscircuit.com/?p=54
Adam Birnbaum of Cypress Bay High School voices his opinion on class ranking in his high school. Birnbaum's column describes the importance of class rank at his school because rank, along with SAT/ ACT scores, are the two most important numbers for college applications. With class rank, students at Cypress Bay overfill their schedules with rigorous courses with the option to enroll in dual credit classes at the local college, Broward College, in order to receive additional AP 6.0 weighted GPA's. Birnbaum believes that this GPA loading is "cheating" and is unfair to students who cannot do this. In addition, Birnbaum feels that the dual-enrollment is merely for students who have interest in those additional college classes, not for students who want to boost their rank. Birnbaum believes that students should choose curriculums based on what students enjoy and that the rank system or the dual-enrollment should be altered or eliminated all together if the GPA loading does not stop.
Adam Birnbaum of Cypress Bay High School voices his opinion on class ranking in his high school. Birnbaum's column describes the importance of class rank at his school because rank, along with SAT/ ACT scores, are the two most important numbers for college applications. With class rank, students at Cypress Bay overfill their schedules with rigorous courses with the option to enroll in dual credit classes at the local college, Broward College, in order to receive additional AP 6.0 weighted GPA's. Birnbaum believes that this GPA loading is "cheating" and is unfair to students who cannot do this. In addition, Birnbaum feels that the dual-enrollment is merely for students who have interest in those additional college classes, not for students who want to boost their rank. Birnbaum believes that students should choose curriculums based on what students enjoy and that the rank system or the dual-enrollment should be altered or eliminated all together if the GPA loading does not stop.
Research
http://smeharbinger.net/opinion/editorial/editorial-class-rank-should-be-eliminated
An anonymous student from Shawnee Mission East High School advocates for the elimination of class rank at his or her high school in Kansas. The student believes that class rank is ineffective because its only criterion is GPA and doesn't take any extracurricular activities to account such as sports, musical talents, or artistic "prowess". In addition, the differences between two adjacent ranks is calculated to the ten-thousandth point; that minute difference determines the rank between students. Shawnee Mission East's principal agrees with the elimination, stating that "The reality is that schools should never squelch the dreams of its students". The principal believes that students should not be labelled with a number and that class rank misrepresents students in more elite schools such as Shawnee Mission East.
An anonymous student from Shawnee Mission East High School advocates for the elimination of class rank at his or her high school in Kansas. The student believes that class rank is ineffective because its only criterion is GPA and doesn't take any extracurricular activities to account such as sports, musical talents, or artistic "prowess". In addition, the differences between two adjacent ranks is calculated to the ten-thousandth point; that minute difference determines the rank between students. Shawnee Mission East's principal agrees with the elimination, stating that "The reality is that schools should never squelch the dreams of its students". The principal believes that students should not be labelled with a number and that class rank misrepresents students in more elite schools such as Shawnee Mission East.
Research
http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/memorial-news/article/Class-rank-matters-to-many-universities-3323382.php
Eight Texas universities have revealed their systems in enrolling prospecting students. All eight universities stated that class rank plays an important roll for incoming applicants. In UT Austin, students are viewed more holistically, taking in to account extracurricular activities, test scores, and school profiles. In addition, UT Austin allows the top eight percent of schools guaranteed admissions. If incoming students do not give a class rank, then UT Austin will simply assign a rank to them. Rice University's Julia Browning stated, "Class rank speaks to a student's willingness to compete". Most universities claim that class rank makes admission easier and more efficient. Texas A&M mostly looks at "rigor of courses and class rank". Class rank is mandatory for applicants there, or else they will not be admitted.
Eight Texas universities have revealed their systems in enrolling prospecting students. All eight universities stated that class rank plays an important roll for incoming applicants. In UT Austin, students are viewed more holistically, taking in to account extracurricular activities, test scores, and school profiles. In addition, UT Austin allows the top eight percent of schools guaranteed admissions. If incoming students do not give a class rank, then UT Austin will simply assign a rank to them. Rice University's Julia Browning stated, "Class rank speaks to a student's willingness to compete". Most universities claim that class rank makes admission easier and more efficient. Texas A&M mostly looks at "rigor of courses and class rank". Class rank is mandatory for applicants there, or else they will not be admitted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)