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AP
Preparation Leaves No Time for Discussing World Events |
Posted:
03.14.05
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Doing well on the AP U.S. history test is a laudable goal but
student David Lavine thinks that with all the pressure to cover
the past important events of the present get left behind.
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A high school student wakes up on Monday, December 8, 1941 and
arrives at class in the morning still in shock after learning
that the United States has been attacked at Pearl Harbor by Japanese
aircraft the previous day.
History class begins, and the teacher, without a word concerning
the horrible tragedy, says, "Please turn in your homework,
and today we are going to discuss American life in the 18th century."
Not a word is spoken in class about what happened at Pearl Harbor,
let alone the effects it will have on the rest of the world throughout
history.
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Important
events overlooked |
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Similarly, on December 26, 2004, one of the worst natural disasters
in modern history took the world by storm. As the days progressed,
we learned of the incredible loss of life caused by the tsunami.
When we returned to class after the holiday break, it seemed as
though some discussion of the tsunami everyone had heard about
on the news was sure to follow at school. But as it turned out,
this event was not a very hot topic of discussion in any classrooms,
despite its impact on the world. The entire day at school consisted
of business as usual.
In my Advanced Placement United States history class, to this
date, there has been no discussion of the tsunami, or any other
current events that are likely to become important parts of our
history, such as the war in Iraq.
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Pressure
to complete material |
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The lack of insightful discussion stems from the intense pressure
on AP teachers to cover an incredibly large amount of prescribed
material in a short period of time to adequately prepare students
for the AP test.
Although being prepared for AP examinations is a vital and worthy
goal for students and their teachers, taking a small amount of
time to discuss the importance of what is happening in the world
is not inordinately inferior to an obsession with receiving high
scores on AP tests.
Many College Prep students, on the other hand, have been known
to spend considerable time in class discussing current events
and debating over subjects relevant to, but not necessarily part
of, the formal course curriculum.
It seems the CP classes typically have a little more flexibility
in their curriculum, as they are not on such an aggressive schedule.
But classes should not miss out on valuable opportunities for
relevant discussions based solely on the amount of work they have
to accomplish.
It is unfortunate that AP classes are so constrained by the rigorous
curriculum that they don't have any extra time to discuss current
events, no matter how relevant.
Open discussion about important current events is a necessary
part in the development of students.
It's a shame that, with the pressure put on teachers to cover
the necessary course material, there is no opportunity for this
important part of one's educational experience.
--
David Lavine writes for the High Tide at Redondo Union High School
in California.
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I think we've been witnessing violence for years, whether in reality through the media or through video games, and I don't think that's a first-hand effect.
