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A look at changes in college prep history courses

By WTOP Staff

DENVER (AP) — Colorado students and teachers are protesting a school board’s attempt to change the new way some history college prep classes are being taught and tested.

For years, high school teachers have complained that Advanced Placement history classes — electives which are meant to help high school students prepare for college– were more focused on helping students memorize facts and pass the test to earn college credit than actually preparing them to go to college. A group of teachers and professors rewrote the guidelines, and this is the first year they are being used in schools across the country. The questions are broad and are meant to get students to think critically.

Critics say the new framework is so broad that it omits important historical figures like Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr. and events like the Boston Tea Party.

Here are examples from the College Board of questions on the old and new test:

BEFORE:

The Northwest Ordinances did which of the following

–Provided for the annexation of the Oregon Territory

–Established reservations for Native Americans

–C. Granted settlers a free homestead of 160 acres

–Established the terms for settlement and admission of the new states

–Banned slavery north of the 36 30′ line

(Answer: D)

AFTER:

“(H)istory and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the cause of which are essentially foreign to our concerns.” – George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

— The concerns expressed by Washington were a response to the:

–Debate over the proper treatment of American Indian tribes in the trans-Appalachian West

–Dispute over the possibility of annexing Canada from Great Britain

–Controversy regarding support for the revolutionary government of France

–Conflict with Great Britain over the treatment of American loyalists

(Answer: C)

— The ideas expressed in Washington’s address most strongly influenced which United States foreign policy decision in the twentieth century?

–The establishment of the United Nations in 1945

–The formation of the NATO alliance between the United States and Western Europe in 1949

–The refusal to join the League of Nations in 1919

–The oil embargo against Japan in 1941

(Answer: C)

BEFORE:

The National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in 1966 in order to:

–Challenge sex discrimination in the workplace

–Oppose the proposed Equal Rights Amendment

–Advocate restrictions on access to abortion

–Advocate equal access for women to athletic facilities

(Answer: A)

AFTER:

Using your knowledge of United States history, answer parts a and b.

a) Briefly explain why ONE of the following periods best represents the beginning of a democracy in the United States. Provide at least ONE piece of evidence from the period to

support your explanation.

. Rise of political parties in the 1790s

. Development of voluntary organizations to promote social reforms between the 1820s

and the 1840s

. Emergence of the Democrats and the Whigs as political parties in the 1830s

b) Briefly explain why ONE of the other options is not as persuasive as the one you chose.

___

Source: College Board FAQ’s with sample questions: http://bit.ly/1AkWNwc

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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