When students have to choose between their jobs and their AP scores

As many know, today was the first day of AP testing. Unfortunately, our school didn't plan nearly enough time for the exams (they forgot to factor in the 10-minute break in between sections as well as time to distribute and collect materials), and they decided to hold both exams in the same room back to back.

So, when the first test finished late, the second test couldn't start on time. Students still received the full testing time, but they had to stay there in the testing room 30 minutes after the end of the school day.

Many of these students are seniors. Many of them work. Many of them have an off-campus period at the end of the day and thus start work around the time the rest of the students are dismissed.

These students were told if they left the testing room, their scores would be invalidated. They couldn't get their phones to contact their employers, or their scores would be invalidated. The administrator in charge offered to contact their employers but then disappeared to go do other things.

Thus, our students were sitting there freaking out, because some of them desperately need these jobs. This is a majority minority school with 90% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Some of these students are helping supporting their families. Some are trying to save so they can go to college--and many are going to be the first in their families to do so.

They were forced today to choose between their jobs and their college credit, and that sucked to watch.

Submitted May 06, 2019 at 06:05PM by cajunveggies http://bit.ly/2DOF6yr