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Recommended: Ap composition and language

It’s the end of the school year, and students are preparing for finals, in anticipation of moving forward in their education. English students are perfecting their portfolios, looking back on the hard work they had done throughout the year. The teacher begins to hand out papers for summer work for AP English Language and Composition. A student looks over at his peer’s paper and raises his hand. “How come only some of us are getting these papers?” he says. “I’m also taking AP English next year.” “I’ve just been informed that only current sophomores will be able to take this class next year. The freshmen will be placed in Honors American Literature,” she answers apologetically. The class is shocked into silence as they digest the implication of this new development. Students should be able to take AP English Language and Composition based on the completion of prerequisites as opposed to grade level. It would enable students to follow the career plan they have already created for high school, and allow students to pursue deeper knowledge in their field of interest. Consequently, if no sophomores are allowed to take it, the initiative for middle schoolers to take Honors English 9 early will be reduced, along with academic rigour for advanced students. Most students have already created their four year plans based on the assumption that they would be able to take AP English Language and Composition as sophomores. For example, “Astrid,” currently an honors freshman, plans to study science in college. She built her four year plan around this, focusing on advanced math and science courses to fit her major. Astrid took Honors English 9 in eighth grade to challenge her and to allow her to fit all of the classes she is interested in. As s... ... middle of paper ... ...nors English 10. However, according to the new system, only sophomores will be properly rewarded for their work in this class. Changing the qualification to take AP English Language and Composition from a grade level requirement to requirements based on ability would have many benefits. It would allow all qualified students to challenge themselves academically instead of hindering some students with an unnecessary intermediate course. Students would be able to follow their already made four year plans. Furthermore, making some sophomores take an extra course could reduce the amount students are challenged and could damage their motivation to take English classes earlier. Therefore, qualified incoming sophomores should be allowed to take AP English Language and Composition as their English class, as they are currently competent and mature enough to take the course.

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