In order to give AP students a voice in what they like and dislike about their class curriculum, the school board recently agreed to establish AP “listening sessions.”

So, how do they work? AP students have the chance to attend an after-school meeting, the last one being in the library,  with AP curriculum directors to share their thoughts on their AP curriculum. This allows students to voice their opinions and allows curriculum directors to take into account what is working for students and what is not. Especially since fewer and fewer students are choosing to take AP classes, listening sessions like these could be a great way to get more people involved. 

When asked about the listening sessions, a Pre-AP English teacher here at West, Robert Elkins, states, “I think it’s important to listen to students’ opinions when it comes to the curriculum, they’re involved in the process so their voices should be heard too.”

 He explains that student engagement often depends on whether they care or are interested in what they’re learning in the first place.

Juliana Omankumni, a junior, takes AP Language & Composition and attended the last listening session. When asked about why she decided to use her voice, she also backed up what Mr. Elkins stated, saying, “If students are not interested in what they’re learning, they’re going to be uninterested in the class and end up eventually dropping it”.

Eniola Omisore, another junior who attended the last session states that she recommends going, and she found the experience to be helpful.

“It gave students a chance to speak about how they feel I would like to go again if I have time,” she states.

The listening sessions seem to be a great way for students to share ideas of what they’d like to see in their classroom, giving curriculum directors a better understanding of what students are looking for.