The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
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'Injustice' 'Oblivion' -Page 5 -Page 4 Volume CXIV Issue 13 Egan Meagher Sports Editor Advanced Placement are classes for the higher achieving students at a high school. AP classes are designed to teach the same material in the same manner as a freshmen college class. The classes teach more advanced levels of the subject than what is taught in the average high school class and are usually more rigorous than the average class. Currently at Red Bluff High, students are offered six AP courses that they can take their junior and senior years. Red Bluff High offers: AP Language and Composition, AP Literature, AP US History, AP Calculus, AP Spanish, and AP Biology. These AP classes are offered to all students in the junior and senior class who are taking the more advanced courses in the subject's classes. The school, though, is planning on adding two more AP courses to the currently offered next year: AP Studio Art and AP World Civilization. AP World Civilization will be offered for sophomores and AP Studio Art can be taken by a student as long as they have the prerequisites completed (Art 1A and 1B). These classes are held to stricter standards than a regular high school class since they're supposed to present a college course. These AP courses have to have their curriculum's approved by the College Board in order for them to be give the AP designation. Teachers of these courses have to present lesson plans, reading material, and other aspects Serving Red Bluff High School since 1901 May 3, 2013 of the class to the College Board so that they can make sure it fits into what the Board considers an AP class to be. AP classes can also count as the college class they represent once those students enter into college. However, for the student to get credit for the class they must take and pass the AP exam presented by the College Board. Tests for each of the classes cost $87 from students in order for them to take the test; however, fee waivers are available if the student is eligible. In the spring, the College Board offers the test, which is much like the SAT and ACT, to assess the student's knowledge of what was taught in the AP class. What is actually on each test is kept hidden from both the teachers and the students until the day of the test. Students are given an evaluation of one through five, by the College Board, on how well they did, with one being the worst and five being outstanding. A score of three is usually considered a passing score and will count as a first year college course in that class. However, students that take AP classes are not required to take the AP exam at the end of the year. AP classes offer much more than credit for a college class. The experience of what college is like, specifically college classes, is considerably beneficial for a student and their future success throughout college. "Class is structured more like a college with the experience and the style" said Jared Norton, Head of Department for social studies. Comparing number of AP classes in surrounding area 20 18 16 17 16 14 12 10 10 8 6 8 4 6 2 Shasta High School Enterprise High School WV & Chico High School RBHS (2013-14) RBHS (2012-13) New positions offered to help cope with change Ceighlee Fennel Staff Writer With all the changes going on in relation to cuts due to declining enrollment, there are new positions that are opening and different possibilities for classroom teachers. Since there are fewer students being enrolled, teachers get more flexibility to move into different positions. All of the new faculty members that have been hired to fill the open positions will begin their duties on July 1 . The new positions include: an Academic Intervention Specialist, a Dean of Students who will also be a Truancy Specialist, an English Language Learner, and a Director of Special Education. The Academic Intervention Specialist spot has been filled by Wendy Drury who is currently a counselor for this school year. The Dean of Students/Truancy Specialist was filled by Mr. Schwabauer. However, since Mr. Schwabauer is switching into a different position from his role as a math teacher, Mrs. Williams, a business teacher, is going to take over his math class. Since Mrs. Wiliams is switching to the math department, there is an opening for a business teacher. They have currently not found anyone to fill the position. More positions are still waiting to be filled. The Director of Special Education, who will have other jobs including managing goals for Lassen Astoribiology Intern Recognition Night The Lassen Atrobiology Internship Program, partnered with Lassen Volcanic National Park and NASA Ames Research Center, will be having a recognition night to showcase what they have learned this year on Tuesday, May 7. The presentation will begin at 6 pm and be in the library conference room. funding, is currently still open. Two counselor positions still need to be filled, as well as the position for the English Language Learner. One of the main reasons for all the revisions and new positions is to give more support to the classroom teachers according to Lisa Escobar, the superintendent. Everyone is going to be switching to Common Core Standards so the changes are supposed to help prepare teachers. "In that big change [Common Core Standards] that everybody is feeling all over the country come all different needs and we have to respond to those needs by offering support before teachers get there," said Escobar. The different testing, called Smarter Balance, will require different curriculum and even different teachings which may be overwhelming to teachers according to Escobar. Escobar hopes that all the adjustments happening right now will help RBHS to attain higher student achievement. Also, she wants to make sure that all the students are benefiting and that all students are getting support. "I do think it will be for the good of our students and that is what drives me," said Escobar. According to Ms. Escobar, many people are uncertain with all the new adjustments, but she is happy with how everything is starting to fall into place.A lot of people do not really like change, so the administration is meeting some resistance. Cheerleading Tryouts Cheerleading tryouts will begin Tuesday, May 7 through Friday, May 10 in the field house at RBHS from 3:30-5 pm. A mandatory parent meeting will be held at 5:30 pm in the Library Media Center after the first day of tryouts. To participate at least a 2.0 GPA is required with no D's or F's.