In my class, students write an essay in class on Monday and then type it on Google Docs by 11 p.m. It’s a simple assignment. Most of the time, I get 20 out of 23 on time. This is unacceptable to me. There are always excuses, usually from similar students. Their Internet is down. Their [...]

I’ve written before about the predictability of student achievement. The achievement gap is big and sinister, and the reason I’m a teacher is to mess with it, to help students do something they didn’t think was possible. Last year, 8 percent of students passed the AP Literature and Composition exam. The highest pass rate ever [...]

I’ve written before about the predictability of student achievement. The achievement gap is big and sinister, and the reason I’m a teacher is to mess with it, to help students do something they didn’t think was possible. Last year, 8 percent of students passed the AP Literature and Composition exam. The highest pass rate ever [...]

The heart of my AP English class is the Essay of the Week. Each week, a lot of important work goes on. Here’s how it works: Monday = Drafting Day. Students write an AP practice essay in class and then type it on Google Docs before 11 p.m. Tuesday = Review Day. Students get their [...]

The heart of my AP English class is the Essay of the Week. Each week, a lot of important work goes on. Here’s how it works: Monday = Drafting Day. Students write an AP practice essay in class and then type it on Google Docs before 11 p.m. Tuesday = Review Day. Students get their [...]

I was really looking forward to my AP English class today. It’s the first time I’ve seen my students since last Friday. Classes usually meet four times a week. But with Monday’s holiday, Wednesday’s PSAT, and tomorrow’s field trip to the city college fair, today was my only chance this week with my students. I [...]

I was really looking forward to my AP English class today. It’s the first time I’ve seen my students since last Friday. Classes usually meet four times a week. But with Monday’s holiday, Wednesday’s PSAT, and tomorrow’s field trip to the city college fair, today was my only chance this week with my students. I [...]

I’m doing a lot so far this year to give my students a shot to pass the AP English Literature exam in May. Office hours twice a week. Reading and reviewing weekly essays. Getting each student an online writing mentor. Starting up Grammar Camp. Asking for computer donations. I’m easily working 15 hours a week [...]

I’m doing a lot so far this year to give my students a shot to pass the AP English Literature exam in May. Office hours twice a week. Reading and reviewing weekly essays. Getting each student an online writing mentor. Starting up Grammar Camp. Asking for computer donations. I’m easily working 15 hours a week [...]

A week or so ago, I wrote about why AP English is unfair for my students. In short, my students might work harder than their privileged peers, yet pass the AP exam at a lower rate. I’ve thought about inequities in education and society for a long time. After all, I’m a teacher. But there’s [...]