Question:
I was just talking to my mother and she was telling me about an interesting
situation that is occurring with my brother who is a senior this year in the
AP programs. I am a Science teacher myself, and the area of concern is in
AP English Literature. So, I was not able to give advice to them. I
decided to bring it before you, my learned colleagues, and see what thoughts
you might provide. Again, I wasn't familiar with the situation and so,
this is just an information gathering mission.
First, a little background about my brother. He is a preacher, has been
since age 15 (a good one too if I may say so), and is quite active
religiously. His ACT score was a 33 and his SAT was 1400 (I don't know
exactly but that is about right). He is a semifinalist for the National
Merit Scholarship. He is in the Gifted and Talented program and has been
since grade school. He enjoys school and plans to major in Physics. So,
his discontent about this situation is not just a student complaining about
work. It is a moral decision type situation.
Okay, now the situation. My brother's senior AP English class is being
required to read Song of Solomon by Tony Morrison. My brother, who is an
avid reader usually enjoys most reading assignments (he inhales books and
works part time at the library), is disgusted by this book and does not
want to read it let alone study it's content. Another student (also a high
achiever with parents who were and are teachers as well) in previous years
(this particular teacher has assigned the book before) has fought the
assignment and was given a alternate book to read and be graded on. She
however got a lower grade than she normally would have. My brother who has
outstanding scores in his classes (about 4 of which are AP courses) doesn't
want to lower his GPA. He is struggling to decide what to do. He feels
very strongly about it, but knows the colleges look at the grades for
scholarship purposes.
So, there is the situation as I understand it. I may not have the details
exact, but the situation interested me as a sister and as a teacher. I
would like to hear your comments and thoughts on this.
Answer:
How do I know? An ACT score of 33 (SAT 1400) doesn't exist, it is the
Max possible score, never achieved.
Also any kid THAT bright would NOT be a preacher, it doesn't happen.
NOBODY that smart could POSSIBLY be that stupid!!
The book is by Toni Morrison, a black author, written in 1978, and it
DID go through an AP english read list controversy more than TWO YEARS
ago, but that has past, and this is an obvious troll!
Also this post comes by the typical path through U of Syracuse like the
Troll Ben Malone/Joe Alden always uses!!!
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