Teachers Applaud New Outline For AP History

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Schools offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school with an opportunity to get college credit are increasing in number and are opening up to formerly underserved populations.

But a recent survey of AP history teachers has shown that they loathed "the vagueness of the five-page course outline provided by the AP program." Surely kids loathed it, too.

Trevor Packer who ran the College Board program decided on changes based on recommendations of college professors and veteran teachers who write and grade the exams. The new outline, widely reviewed by 458 teachers and professors, said it was 98% balanced.

However, Larry Krieger, author of AP study guides disagrees believing that the new document provides a "negative and superficial view" of the American experience.

Teachers in the DC area have embraced the changes, giving students more opportunity to think.