In Our View: We have an honor roll district
Some kids just want to make it through high school and earn their diplomas. Others really put their mind to excelling beyond the average student and work hard to earn good grades in challenging classes.
Let's be honest. There's a big difference between some math and science classes and some electives.
One way students can challenge themselves is by taking what are known as AP — or advanced placement — courses. The coursework in these classes is typically more difficult than the average class, with the idea being that these prepare kids for college. And at the end, students take a test that serves a role similar to a college final. They're difficult. And if the student doesn't earn a high enough score, he or she doesn't get the college credit for the class.
It's a harsh reality, but it's a good lesson and real way to challenge a student to excel.
Recently, The College Board, which administers AP classes, released data about enrollment in AP exams and the results of those courses. It found that Utah had four of the 547 school districts nationwide that made the AP Honor Roll, an honor given to districts that increase AP test participation and success rates. One of those four Utah districts was Washington County.
Making this honor roll is a huge distinction because it shows that students in the district's high schools are not only willing to push themselves but that they have teachers qualified enough to help them succeed. In Washington County, the district recorded increases in participation, improved diversity of test-takers and a higher rate of students passing the tests, which are offered in a variety of core subjects.
Those advancements are impressive, but they wouldn't be possible without a concerted effort by the district's teachers and officials to push students to take these classes, to urge them to study hard throughout the year and to help them retain the information well enough to excel on a difficult test with all the pressure that comes with having to reach a high enough score to "pass."
Achieving "AP Honor Roll" status is no small feat. We congratulate the students in the school district who accepted the challenge and who are striving to succeed. And we congratulate the district on its efforts to push students to work hard and to push themselves in what can be some very challenging subjects.