Some Montgomery County high schools are at risk of losing the coveted Advanced Placement label because of overcrowded science classes.
The district’s central office and students looking to prove college readiness on transcripts and applications have long touted the AP status of Montgomery County’s schools.
But that could be in jeopardy because of a growing problem, most notably at jam-packed Wootton and Churchill high schools, with too little lab space and too few teachers, making lab safety difficult even for the best instructors.
“If teachers bring out an acid or base, they must guarantee the safety of all those students,” said one teacher, who asked not to be identified for fear of harming his school’s reputation. “An attorney will go for the jugular and say, ‘Why did you do the lab? You’re the leader in the classroom. You should’ve made the right decision.’ ”
AP chemistry classes, accredited by the New York City-based College Board, require “a minimum of one double-period per week or its equivalent spent engaged in laboratory work.” For the first time this school year, principals needed to sign off on forms showing compliance with College Board standards.
“If we have authorized their courses, then we’d expect that everything they’ve attested to is happening in the course,” said Tom Matts, director of the AP course audit, adding that his organization is now probing Montgomery County’s situation.
Currently, Churchill’s two AP chemistry classes have 40 students each in a lab designed for 24 students, said school employees. Attempts to add another teacher have been stymied by the county’s hiring freeze, they said.
Wootton, with one of the largest science programs in the county, is already 416 students above school capacity.
School officials say the proof is in the numbers: Last year, 60 Churchill chemistry students who took the AP test scored a passing grade; only four did not. Wootton led the district in AP participation and performance. The district led the entire state; 46 percent of its 2007 graduates scored a passing grade, compared with 22 percent statewide.
“The school system will ensure the AP course is in compliance,” said Kate Harrison, spokeswoman for the district. “We know there’s a problem with lab space at Churchill, but we have every confidence space will be available.”
The school board requested new labs for Churchill and Wootton in its 2009 capital budget. In the tight budget year, however, Harrison said the schools “have some reason to believe the district’s entire request won’t be fully funded.”
