AP scores highlight strength of Stoneham schools
Published on November 23rd, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Before Stoneham students, citizens and school administrators wade through the morass of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test, the community should note the strong performance of Stoneham High School students on the 1999 Advanced Placement (AP) tests.
Stoneham students passed 64 of 81 tests taken and were above the global averages in all categories offered at Stoneham High School: US History, Biology, English, French, Calculus, Physics and Spanish.
"I think these kids and these teachers deserve recognition," said Stoneham Assistant Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Keroack.
AP tests are developed by the College Board, a national educational testing company, and administered to students at the completion of curricula designed to instruct at a collegiate level.
The test is scored from one to five. Students scoring three or above pass, and many colleges count passing grades as credit toward graduation. With extra college credit some students are able to graduate in three years, saving one year of tuition.
Other students may choose to stay for four years but place out of basic requirements.
"They can dive into their major right away," said English Department Head Pat Norelli; she teaches the junior year of the two-year AP English curriculum at Stoneham High.
Although the test seems geared toward the "top" or "fast track" students, the College Board encourages all students to study the curricula and take the tests, which combine multiple choice and essay questions.
Although the College Board makes money from every test taken, Norelli agrees that an inclusive model is ideal.
"A 'plugger' can work hard and get a four or five score, even if the child doesn't appear to be gifted," Norelli said.
In the past several years two special education students have passed AP exams. One student scored a three on the English exam, the other a three on the Spanish exam.
In 1999 Stoneham pupils scored from nine to 27 percent higher then the international averages in the six subject areas offered at Stoneham High.
According to AP Coordinator and senior AP English teacher Margaret Puffer, "vertical teaming" is the key to success; students are taught a cumulative body of knowledge starting as early as junior high.
"Certain components of the curriculum are studied at all levels," Puffer said.
Math Department Head Mike Kennedy agrees with the importance of vertical teaming. In his department students get on the AP track as early as eighth grade if they choose to take algebra.
Kennedy and Puffer also agreed about the importance of experienced teachers.
"Experienced teachers understand what the kids have to know," Kennedy said.
Organized curricula, teachers with a specific understanding of what the students should know...this sounds like the MCAS. But, the AP tests are scored differently.
Each AP test is a norm referenced test: students are scored against each other. The MCAS is a criterion referenced test in which students are scored against a standard derived by test-makers.
Also, students choose to take AP courses and AP tests.
"The students are very dedicated," said Science Department Head Howard Dimmick.
The department heads said although scores were particularly good in 1999, the result was not an aberration. Stoneham students have done increasingly well in AP exams since the program began at Stoneham in 1985.
The AP scores of Stoneham students show the community that dedicated students working within well-organized curricula taught by experienced teachers in this town are doing very well.
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