School wants to expand AP program

Hungry Horse News

Columbia Falls High School students might soon have a larger variety of advanced placement classes available.

High school principal Terri Steglich recently presented a plan to expand the College Board's advanced placement program at the school.

It currently has AP English literature and AP calculus.

Steglich's plan would add AP U.S. history, AP biology and possibly AP chemistry for the next school year.

In 2006-2007, the school would add AP government and AP chemistry, if they weren't previously added.

Steglich said there will also be discussion with the departments about adding AP art, AP Spanish, AP English language and AP world history. More classes could be added as the school evaluates the program and the needs and desires of the students.

The program allows students to take college-level courses in high school. After an AP course, a student can take an exam and possibly receive college credit, advanced placement, or both. There are 14,157 schools participating in the program.

Steglich cited many benefits of the program. Students can save on tuition costs. Students who take AP courses do better on similar courses in college. Students are exposed to college-level course work while still supported in the high school setting. Training is available for new and experienced AP teachers each year.

One concern with the program is the classroom time available for the rigorous curriculum of an AP class.

Steglich's solution is to have the science classes run for two periods and count for two credits. Other AP courses may have a similar schedule. She also said students will just have to do more work outside of class, as they would in a college course.

Another concern is cost. Steglich said careful planning and course selection should allow for additional AP courses. But some courses simply may not be possible due to funding.

Steglich said textbooks are the biggest costs. AP chemistry won't be offered next year if they don't find funding for textbooks.

Teacher training is another expense, but the school got a grant to pay for the teachers' AP training this summer, Steglich said.

The school board seemed supportive of the plan, but some members mentioned concerns about costs and the support of the teachers.

Also at the meeting:

€ The board approved a new drama club at the high school.

€ The board decided to join the National Forest Counties and School Coalition. Membership costs about $800. This coalition encourages multiple use in national forests. Schools receive a percentage of money from the national forests revenue. Trustees David Cheff and Larry Wilson both spoke strongly in favor of the coalition.

€ Superintendent Michael Nicosia said the district gained enough students in the elementary schools since October to alleviate $50,000 in the projected budget shortfall.