AP stacking in Berkeley Heights

The District's initiative to raise GL's ranking relies heavily on the number of students who are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and the number of AP classes and exams taken by students. Many questions come to mind with the stacking of APs even by very organized and advanced learner students.

1) Are the potential risks of excessive workload taken on by students balanced by accompanying academic assessment and support programs?

2) Have student performance in AP classes been optimal? Have there been cases where the stacking of many AP classes in one academic year been detrimental to students? What has been the history of performance in class exams and the College Board AP exam?

3) What have student surveys revealed about AP class experiences?

4) Why does GL recommend students to enroll in more than 3 AP classes in one academic year when the Union County magnet schools limit AP enrollment to 3 per year?

5) Without any historical data of student performance in AP classes and AP exams, are students and parents expected to blindly accept more than 3 AP class enrollment as appropriate and necessary?

6) Is AP stacking really for the benefit of the students or the ranking of the school?

An informal, unscientific survey of colleges present during the recent college fair revealed that AP stacking is discouraged. The typical response from the college representatives is for a student to demonstrate interest and commitment to a variety of subjects and an openness to new ideas and new challenges. Participation in extra curricular activities and athletics provide these opportunities as well as AP classes.

The current slate of BOE members unwillingness and/or inability to answer these questions suggest the answer to the main question "Does the BOE serve as an oversight or as a rubber stamp"?