AP course limits: ‘Why in the world would we discourage excellence?’

I recently read with interest the Bridge article about the new limitation on Advanced Placement classes at Acton-Carlisle High School.

I taught in public, Title I, private, and international schools for 15 years. My family in large part landed in Acton because of the reputation of its schools. The decision to limit AP classes will absolutely damage that reputation.

In my years in education, I repeatedly witnessed standards being lowered in the name of mental health. If schools want to improve students’ mental health, they need to train students how to deal with life’s stressors, instead of arbitrarily deciding a few stressors to shield them from. Homeroom conversations about emotional intelligence. Ready access to counselors. Caring parents. The gradual buildup of emotional-resilience education progressively from K-12. These are how you build mental health. 

Whether we like it or not, at some point, life eventually swings a bag of bricks at most of us. If we’re lucky at an older age, if we’re unlucky at a younger age, through unavoidable tragedy and trauma. Some degree of inoculation in our younger years is necessary. Nobody becomes mentally healthier through choosing an easier, less challenging path.

Additionally, as a parent, it should be my decision and my children’s decision what classes they take. Not some school board member’s or district administrator’s.

Make no mistake. The limitation of AP classes in public schools is a luxury belief by upper-class individuals. Those with the means will either send their children to private schools without such limitations, or they will use their influence to bend rules, as the article noted students and parents could request exceptions. Those with less money or influence will not have these same options to work around the system.

I really don’t get it. Why in the world would we discourage excellence?

Luke Harris

Wedgewood Common