Comment Re:Florida leads the way (Score 1) 228
Although that's not what he said, the idea is absolutely right. Except for a very very small minority of students AP should NOT be offered in HS and definitely not until jr. or sr. year.
I've watched this play out in our own school district. Kids are being told to pick their college majors while in middle school (oh and you can only select from STEM or you're a failure) and they're being forced into AP courses (which are for-real college level content) in freshman year and being told that if they don't they won't get into a 'good' school and that their life is basically over. This is a horrifically destructive lie.
These kids don't get a chance to grow up and mature and make as smooth as possible transition from child to young adult. They are coached that they can never fail in anything and so are discouraged from trying anything off the beaten path. AP has driven out 'college prep' track classes; now your choices are go to college while you're still in HS (AP courses) or take an on-level course. There is no middle ground. It's taking a huge toll on these kids' mental health.
Go back to letting kids take home ec and wood shop. Let kids try things and fail and then learn that failure isn't final. This drive everyone to AP initiative isn't getting kids to college any better prepared (the % of kids who have to take remedial courses keeps climbing) and it's seriously damaging their mental health in the process.