Student Advice for the End of the Semester
By Isaac Worley
As the first semester comes to a close, students are likely asking themselves three questions:
What is the current finals policy?
What classes would be more enjoyable than my current schedule?
Should I apply for TCC or look into AP courses?
Finals Policy
Under current policies, all students are required to take semester finals for every class during the first semester. However, if a student maintains a grade of 85 percent or higher each semester and has 12 or fewer absences, they may be exempted during the second semester. Alongside the standard exemption, most students who take AP exams are not required to take the second semester final in that course. The only absence that does not affect exemptions is a school activity absence.
Single-Semester Classes
The best option for students who are dissatisfied with their current schedule, but do not want to be left behind may want to switch into a single-semester class. Owasso High School currently offers various half-credit classes: ACT Prep, Native American Studies, Introduction to Art History, Health, Desktop Publishing and Web Design. A student taking a half-credit class will be present for the entire curriculum, so they need not worry about catching up with the earlier curriculum.
AP vs Concurrent
As the application opens for concurrent enrollment through TCC, students must also consider the differences between TCC and AP programs.
The Advanced Placement program is a well-known opportunity for college credit which is run by College Board, the same organization that runs the SAT tests. Since the programs are backed on a national level, most universities in the United States accept AP credits as replacements for other classes. Due to the widespread recognition, AP courses are an excellent choice for students who are unsure of their plans for post-secondary education.
In contrast to a normal college course, AP credits are not connected to grades. Instead, the credit is awarded based on scores for AP exams that students can take at the end of the year. The largest benefit of the AP credit model is that students do not have to be enrolled in a course to take the exam; any student who enrolls in the exam may prepare for the course through an independent study. For students that thrive in a traditional class environment, almost every AP course offered through Owasso High School is taught as a standard course with a specific teacher.
In comparison, TCC concurrent enrollment allows students to take general education courses in the college environment. All courses are taught by a TCC professor either on campus or virtually, and each class normally lasts for a single semester. This format is preferable for students who seek the experience of college while still in high school.
The primary disadvantage of TCC is that credits must be transferred to other schools that a student may attend. As a result, some credits will not be accepted, especially outside of Oklahoma. For those who intend to use the Tulsa Achieves scholarship, concurrent enrollment is an excellent option since no transfer will be required.
While TCC is an excellent alternative for students who are dissatisfied with the traditional AP model, Advanced Placement remains a strong option for college credit because of its universality.