U-HIGH DWAY Volume 76, Number 6 • University High School, 1362 East 59th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637 • Tuesday, February 20, 2001 ·.,,• ·, Report urges more, better Anew look at A.P.s they• Are what So . .. How M;,..>JY A.P.s Yov technology they once were? Cot v\!vDeR Yov<RBflT? ~Y.Debbie Traub Pe.< P . ,_____ _ _ ~y Jessica Heyman and Keir Harris Associate editor C o I/ e g-e,, H~f"_R-_E___ _ _ A computer for every teacher . More Midway reporters computers and updated programs for t a school which emphasizes the journali sm program. A multimedia experience -based educa ­ lab with digital cameras, DVD burners A tion, some faculty members and other hardwar e for a new multi ­ and administrators have begun to media arts cla ss next year . question the appropriateness of Ad ­ Conducting surveys and collecting vanced Placement classes. Discussions r department wi sh lists, the faculty -par­ on the topic have been considered . ent-administrator -student Technology AP .s got their start in the 1950s as Committee has come up with an exten ­ a way to offer talented high school sive list of recommendations. students enriched challenges and "People are still trying to figure out the opportunity to clear the way for how to take advantage of the educa ­ advanced study in college. tional value of technology," said Math When the program came under the Teacher Cathy Feldman, committee supervision of the College Board in r ' chairperson . "The committee is ave ­ 1956 and was first offered nation ­ hicle to discuss technology use in the wide, 1,229 students took the courses. high school." By 1960, three years after the launch The committee considered factors of the Russian space satellite, Sput ­ such as student productivity and nik, worry over the state of Ameri ­ teacher efficiency, Mrs. Feldman said. can education had exploded and 'J,;!..- L- -- - ~ = ~=- ----' lliilli!!i!o::...-::=:::,a.__ ~.,,.Uf-t-"'-c-,,J~ "We are definitely looking into hav ­ participation went to 13,283. Art by Enrique Lomnitz ing a personal computer for each Some people concerned about AP.s AP .sat U -High," Principal Jack Knapp periods to do them." teacher," she explained. "We think that feel that math is the only subject that said. "We have great teachers who All the extra homework that needs it would encourage use of computers AP.s are appropriate for because of would conduct challenging courses to get done ends up putting a lot of in the classroom. A lot of improve ­ the concreteness of the material. with or without an AP . exam at the end stress on U-Highers that isn't part of ments we want would take time to train While her AP. curriculum covers of the year. It's actually kind of strange a healthy high school experience, people. For the proposed multimedia all the bases, Math Teacher Cathy that a school with such a talented and administrators have noted . lab, the teacher would need to go Feldman, Math Department chair ­ creative faculty might allow an outside "Students shouldn't have to f eel through intensive digital training. We person, said it does limit the empha ­ body to dictate what should be taught . guilty about going to a basketball also want to make a computer lab for sis teachers can put on each topic . The yearend evaluation can become the game or taking a walk with th eir "The curriculum for my AP. course engine; teachers wind up having to boyfriends or girlfriends," Mr. II It's the education that covers everything I'd cover any ­ teach for the test." Knapp said. "But they do, because way," said Mrs. Fe ldman, who In balancing a required curriculum there's alway s the unfinished work should be driving the teaches AP. Calculus AB. "There is and what they feel students should know, waiting at home. Students almost technology. ff sufficient flexibility in the AP. course teachers require students to commit become their work and don't have - Math Teacher C athy F eldman curriculum although I would em ­ lots of time to homework. InAP. Chem ­ time to simply live. phasize different things if I didn't istry, two periods a week, eight total, "This school was started as a place classrooom use, but we may have to hire ha ve a required curriculum. The add to the six in regular Chemistry. where students learned by doing ­ someone to operate the lab." idea of an AP. class is a good one. It "U-High starts two or three weeks what is now called affective educa ­ The committee's work will continue. holds students and teachers to a high later than other schools," AP. Chemis ­ tion. What has happen ed here goes "We suggested separate follow up standard and the college credit pro ­ try Teacher Judith Keane explained. again st that and AP .shave played a committees with specific jobs," Mrs. vides an incentive for students to "Because of this I have less time to part in this. Although getting rid of Feldman said. "One to follow up on the work hard." cover the material, which means I re ­ them isn't necessary, some kind of classroom lab, another to work on get ­ Others say by instituting standard ­ ally have to rush through the curricu ­ rethinking of them is." ting teachers computers and another to ized curriculums, A .P.s limit a lum . And even though labs aren't a ma ­ One departm ent that won't have to take a long term look at what comput­ teacher's imput into the class . jor part of the AP. test, I feel that they' re change AP. policy is the English ers should be to students. "It's fair to question the value of extremely important so I added extra (continued on page 6) "We want to make it clear that technol ­ ogy should not be driving the decision for the curriculum. It's the education that should be driving the technology." A.P.s lure with credit, challenge Other committee participants in ­ !JyNick Hill less of why they initially took the AP ., it ev entually be ­ cluded the following: Associate editor comes just another way to impress colleges." From seniors looking to feed curiosity and interest to FACULTY- Ms. Marty Billingsley and Mr . Alan But some U -Highers ev en say that the coll ege credit as ­ Haskell, computer education: Mr. Wayne sophomores looking to fatten college transcripts and pect of AP. plays no part in their decisions. Brasier, journalism: Mr. David Derbes, science: shorten their college years, U -Highers give different rea ­ "I've taken five AP. classes at U -High and the entire Ms . Chris Fenner, foreign language: Mr. sons for taking AP. courses. time the least of my worries has been gaining college Michael Gardner , English : Ms . Mattye Nelson , "I took AP. Biology last year because it was a course library: Mr. Dom Piane , m usic: and Ms. Llese credit," Senior Adrienne Umeh said . "I think that most Ricketts, fine arts. which interested me," Senior Daniel Schatt said. "How ­ students take AP. courses just to learn more about sub ­ ADMINISTRATORS-Mr.Curt Lleneck, informa­ ever, I took AP. Physics this year because my college jects which interest them on at an advanced pace." tion technology : and Mr. Larry Mcfarlane . counselor suggested that it would help make my high For some students, teachers come before Advanced dean of students and faculty . school transcript look more attractive to colleges . Placement titles. PARENT- Ms. Therese Nelson. "I feel that people who choose to take AP.s generally STUDENTS- Juniors Nik Lund, Beckett Sterner "The reason I signed up for AP . Biology this year is be ­ and Carl Testa . have a good amount of interest in the classes but, regard - (continued on page 6) Class dining READ ALL ABOUT IT. ... OFFERING LATIN AMERICAN and Oriental dishes, an ethnic lunch last A day to celebrate the arts month was among fundraisers for ARTS WEEK, now known as Arts Fest, could have been renamed Mr. Chris Janus's A.P. Modern Eu ­ Arts Day, 'caus e that's all it's gonna be this year, folks. So make tomorrow all it can be, get to the programs you signed up for and ropean History class. Mr . Janus' enjoy! Page 2. students publish class magazines focusing on different aspects of Something to laugh about European history and are respon­ THIS YEAR'S Student Experimental Theatre production offers a half -dozen looks at relationships. Plus a little music , sound and sible for raising the money for the light. A good time is promised to all for the three performances projects. With plenty of hungry later this week. Page 2. customers ready to support the A royal time was had by all cause of history, Michelle Sris­ THE GLAMOUR of the Semiformal Dance is captured in photos, uwananukorn and Lynae Maciel including the happiness of those chosen kings and queens . Page 3. serve Daniel Schatt Thai-sty le Why people are unhappy with the Midway noodles. LOOK, FOLKS, it's just us being us. Or so we're told. Read Photo by Shubra Ohri all about it in an editorial page on Page 4. "The Rootabaga Festival is one that we have been going to for years. This year we will indude a singer from U-High so that we can spice things up." Adviser-Jazz Band Dominic Piane SET offers si pl on relationships • Humor reigns in production also offering band performance, sound-light show ~y Jordan Rummel Chris Hemingway and Elisa Lomnitz. Midway reporter Other components of the production include the following: ove, heartbreak, marriage, di­ vorce and the toils, troubles and "FERRIS WHEEL," written by Mary Miller, di­ rected by Junior Satya Bhabha-Two quirky joys of relationships will take L strangers who meet on a Ferris wheel converse.