The school board passed a new policy allowing students to automatically receive 10 points on their GPA as long as they pass the course giving them a choice on whether or not they want to take the corresponding AP exam.

“Students no longer are required to sit for exams that they do not want to take,” Advanced Academics Coordinator Marie Medina said.
“It would be ideal if every student wanted to prepare for the exams and strive for high scores in all of their classes, but that is not the case.”

In the past, students were required to take the AP Exam of the AP Class they were enrolled in to receive the 10 points for their GPA.

“My AP classes have always interested me so I will continue to take them,” sophomore Sofia Farley said. “But for kids who debate whether to take them, this change makes them more willing to take these classes knowing what their options are for testing.”

The policy change will now give students 10 points for their GPA just like TCC classes.

“I do not believe that sitting for the AP Exam in the past swayed students away from AP Courses, because students tried or they didn’t as they chose,” Medina said. “Making the AP Exam optional will not have much of an impact on enrollment. Other forces drive students course selections.”

This school year, students will still be able to receive the exemption helping them balance their schedules during finals.

“I’m relieved I still get my exemption because it’ll really help lighten the load around finals time,” sophomore Amanda Quintanilla said. “I can focus on studying for my AP exam.”

As for the future, it has not yet been decided if students will continue to receive the extra exemption.

Quintanilla said, “Next year, I (may) have to consider if I’m confident enough in my knowledge to take the AP exam, but if I’m not my GPA won’t suffer.”