The College Board has come up with a way to award AP students something more than being able to skip a course in college. With the help of a grant, Madison City Schools has decided to allow students who score a 3 or above on their AP tests in the upcoming spring to receive $100 cash per test.
The scoring scale is from 1-5, a 5 being a perfect score. Other states that have also signed to allow this in their school systems are paying teachers $100 for each student in their class that passes the exam wit a score of a 3 or above. However, Fowler believed that our teachers do not need to receive this much money for their students because it is not available for teachers of basic or even honors –level classes.
Some of our AP teachers are not too fond of the idea, but some can respect the reasoning behind it. “If I could at least get that money to put towards my classroom for supplies that would be just as great to me,” said Mrs. Powell when talking to her students about the reward system for the Madison City Schools.
The states allowing their AP teachers to receive the money can use it on anything they desire, and are not limited to classroom purchases. “I kind of like that teachers don’t get the extra money for doing something they already had to do,” argues Jacob, a senior at Bob Jones who is enrolled in AP English Literature.
However, the students are definitely fond of the idea of them being payed for their high scores. Amber, a junior who is taking two Advanced Placement courses this semester, says that “It’s a great motivation boost to make kids put in that extra effort they might not have otherwise.”
The Madison City School Board has high expectations for the students’ scores on their AP exams this year, and are hoping that the potential revenue students will receive is enough to make them work harder than in previous years.
The AP exams are all held next semester, and students will receive their scores over the summer. If they score highly enough they will receive payment along with their scores. For students enrolled in their AP courses this semester, it is highly recommended that you continue to study the course and keep the information fresh in your memory, because it will come in handy come spring, and is sure to pay off.
