Two Very Different Arguments for More Honors Options

By Jay Mathews
Thursday, March 9, 2006

Dear Extra Credit:

I am tempted to stop reading your column because every time I do, it makes my blood boil. I am tired of all the whining by students and parents about the lack of higher-level courses.

Please encourage them to lobby their school boards or pay for courses that go beyond the basic education.

My children will be taking these "less challenging" classes throughout high school. Funny thing is that these classes are very challenging to a child who has an IQ of 110 and an auditory processing deficit.

My experience has shown that most teachers are more than willing to teach those who get it quickly rather than make the effort to reach every student.

I am not interested in my children and others in similar situations being made to feel that they are less than worthy of a teacher's effort or not up to the challenge. These children are challenged every day, and most make the most of these challenges.

Let us have more AP/honors/IB classes so that high achievers do not interfere with my children's education.

Kathrn Fay

Reston

Thank you for this refreshingly different perspective. Until I received your e-mail, the messages to this column all assumed that the regular courses were pits of bad behavior and rudimentary content. I would love to hear from others with evidence that this is not the case.

Dear Extra Credit:

Fairfax County does its students a disservice by not offering honors classes in all high school core courses.

College doesn't start at age 16, and five classes is considered a full load for a college student. So why would anyone expect high school students to take four AP courses and three electives?

Students who can take honors classes through sophomore year are left with the choice of AP or regular core classes in junior and senior years. Those not wanting to be overloaded with AP courses are left to take some regular core classes -- and find them too slow in pace.

I believe the high schools can satisfy the needs of a larger segment of students by offering honors classes in all core subjects and then as many AP classes as possible.

Brenda Page

Oak Hill

Westfield High School parent

You make several good points, but I am still not ready to accept the notion that the AP courses are that much more difficult than honors courses. Quantitative data on that point would be welcome.

Dear Extra Credit:

In discussions about why Fairfax County schools start after Labor Day, you could point out that Virginia state law requires this late start. The Fairfax County School Board has lobbied for more flexibility, but the General Assembly has yet to change the law.

Paul Regnier

Fairfax County Public Schools

community relations coordinator

Right you are. Those legislators love their long August vacations.

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