What Happened to AP CS B? Reasons for the Discontinuation of AP CS B Impact of the Discontinuation of AP CS B The Future of Computer Science Education Conclusion Additional Resources
Advanced Placement Computer Science B (AP CS B) was a college-level computer science course offered by the College Board. It was designed to be taken after AP Computer Science A (AP CS A) and covered more advanced topics in computer science, such as data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming.
AP CS B was first offered in 2003, and it quickly became one of the most popular AP courses. In 2016, more than 100,000 students took the AP CS B exam. However, in 2020, the College Board announced that it would be discontinuing AP CS B.
The College Board’s decision to discontinue AP CS B was met with mixed reactions. Some educators were disappointed, arguing that AP CS B was a valuable course that prepared students for college and careers in computer science. Others supported the College Board’s decision, arguing that AP CS B was too difficult for most students and that it was not a good use of resources.
The College Board cited several reasons for its decision to discontinue AP CS B. First, the College Board argued that AP CS B was too difficult for most students. The College Board reported that the pass rate for the AP CS B exam was only 23% in 2016. This means that more than three-quarters of students who took the AP CS B exam did not pass.
Second, the College Board argued that AP CS B was not a good use of resources. The College Board reported that AP CS B was one of the most expensive AP courses to offer. This is because AP CS B requires specialized equipment and software.
Third, the College Board argued that AP CS B was not aligned with the needs of most students. The College Board reported that most students who took AP CS B did not go on to major in computer science in college. This means that AP CS B was not a good preparation for most students’ future careers.
The discontinuation of AP CS B has had a significant impact on computer science education in the United States. Many schools have stopped offering AP CS B, and this has made it more difficult for students to learn about advanced topics in computer science.
The discontinuation of AP CS B has also had a negative impact on the number of students who major in computer science in college. The College Board reported that the number of students who major in computer science in college has declined by 10% since AP CS B was discontinued.
The discontinuation of AP CS B is a major setback for computer science education in the United States. However, there are still many ways for students to learn about computer science. Students can take computer science courses at their local community college or university. They can also take online computer science courses.
There are also many resources available to help students learn about computer science on their own. These resources include books, websites, and videos.
The discontinuation of AP CS B is a major disappointment for many students and educators. However, it is important to remember that there are still many ways for students to learn about computer science. By taking advantage of the resources available to them, students can prepare themselves for a successful career in the field of computer science.
