More AP courses aligned with Common Core standards

College Board has applied the new Common Core standards to several Advanced Placement curriculums. The changes aim to promote the idea of “fewer concepts, more depth” as well as critical thinking over strict memorization.

Among the many courses in stages of reform is the AP U.S. History (APUSH) curriculum. The class will focus less on 19th century America and place more emphasis on pre-Columbian and post-1980 American history.

According to College Board, the past curriculum “put pressure on many teachers (who were uncertain of what might appear on the AP exam) to attempt to cover every detail of American history” because it lacked specificity. The new framework addresses this problem with detailed “learning objectives” to help students and teachers better understand AP expectations.

In addition, the new course encourages “historical thinking skills,” such as chronological reasoning, contextualizing and creating arguments using historical evidence.

Next May, students will be taking the revised edition of the APUSH exam. In the first section of the test, 55 minutes will now be allotted for 55 multiple-choice questions instead of 80, and an additional four short-answer questions will be given 45 minutes. The second section will still include one document-based question, but in the place of the original two free-response questions will be one long-essay question.

In previous years, AP Biology, Chemistry, Latin and Spanish Literature exams have been modified. According to College Board, Art History and European History exams are currently in the process of adjustment. College Board may also offer an AP Algebra class, possibly in replacement of AP Calculus.

“AP Calculus is in conflict with the Common Core,” senior vice president of College Board’s AP Program Trevor Packer said to the School Superintendents Association (AASA). “[It] lies outside the sequence of Common Core because of the fear that it may unnecessarily rush students into advanced math classes for which they are not prepared.”