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ERIC Number: EJ1043129
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Oct
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0037-7724
EISSN: N/A
Two Successful Approaches to Teaching AP Government
Ladd, Brian; Stepp, Heidi
Social Education, v77 n5 p272-274 Oct 2013
Amador Valley High School, in Pleasanton, California, uses two unique approaches to teaching Advanced Placement Government and Politics. AP Government consists of six units: Constitutional Underpinnings; Political Behavior and Political Beliefs; Mass Media, Interest Groups, and Political Parties; Institutions of Government; Civil Liberties and Civil Rights; and Public Policy. The first method of instruction is a somewhat traditional approach that strictly adheres to the curriculum outlined by the College Board; however, the course, slated as a one-semester class, is combined with AP Macroeconomics to create a yearlong course. The second approach is a course offered as part of the Center for Civic Education's "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" curriculum. It is a one-semester course that also addresses the six units prescribed by the College Board, but through a more applicable methodology. While both course styles have been successful, students are encouraged to enroll in the class that best meets their interests. There are currently 123 students enrolled in the yearlong course, and 30 students enrolled in the "We the People" course. There are 22 Advanced Placement courses offered at Amador Valley, and enrollment is open to any student who wishes to take an AP course. As more students have enrolled in the AP Government course, the passage rate has held relatively constant at 94 percent with a median score of 4.01. Amador Valley prides itself in engaging their students in civic education and strongly believes that all students are capable of achieving success at the Advanced Placement level in the Government and Politics course.
National Council for the Social Studies. 8555 Sixteenth Street #500, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel: 800-683-0812; Tel: 301-588-1800; Fax: 301-588-2049; e-mail: membership@ncss.org; Web site: http://www.socialstudies.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A