Dual credit (DC) and Advanced Placement (AP) classes are two ways high school students can receive college credit. However, AP classes receive a higher weighted grade-point average than dual credit classes. The difference between the 5.5 weight and 6.0 weight can be a determining factor for students making course decisions, but why should it? The school board has recently looked into increasing the weight of dual credit classes to a 6.0 in order to make the courses even. Making this change is the correct decision.
AP classes were created as a way for high school students to experience and adjust to a college level environment and workload. Dual credit courses complete this same mission, while also surrounding students with actual college professors and students. In many ways, dual credit courses better adapt students to the college experience, but they don’t provide them with the same 6.0 cushion that AP courses get. This causes many students to stop considering the dual credit path and they instead look into stacking their schedule with as many AP classes as possible.
Dual credit students are pushed, not only into more rigorous work, but also out of their comfort zones, by leaving their home campus and student body. This challenge is something some students may shy away from—and students who don’t shy away should be recognized for pushing themselves to do more. By not giving dual credit students and AP students the same GPA weight, the district is diminishing their hard work. Dual Credit students are doing more than AP students and not receiving the credit they are due.
AP classes are notorious for being challenging, and many people argue that they deserve a higher GPA weight because they are “more” challenging. Although, both AP and dual credit classes are preparing you to pass college level exams, so at their core they should be equal in rigor. The misconception that one is harder than the other is what is leading the GPA weight gap. If the workload of an AP class is really meant to prepare students for college, then it should mirror a college course offered in dual credit classes.
Shifting the GPA weight for dual credit courses to a 6.0 is the only fair option for students who are putting in the same level of hard work in order to keep up with a college level course. It would be a small change for the district and also keep students’ minds clear when making the decision of what’s really best for them and their schedule. We urge the school board to consider the benefits of this change and implement it for the 2024-25 school year.
