Delay in opening Virtual AP lab

Question: Wasn't the Virtual AP lab supposed to be open by the first day of school? What's the hold up?

Answer: Broadalbin-Perth is fortunate to be one of only nine school districts in the state piloting a Virtual Advanced Placement program this year. However, because it is a pilot program, there are invariably issues and "bugs" to be worked out along the way.

The Virtual AP lab in the high school will be open to students in the Virtual AP program soon, hopefully before the end of September. We only recently finalized the installation of several hundred-thousand dollars worth of advanced technology. Because of the value of the equipment in the room, starting this week, each Virtual AP student will be issued a swipe card that they will use to access the room. For security reasons, we are not able to provide students with access to the room until they have their swipe cards.

Thankfully, the delay in opening the Virtual AP lab should not negatively affect the success of the students in our Virtual AP pilot program. Students received their Google Chromebooks in August, before they returned to school -- these devices, not the Virtual AP lab, are essential to the students completing their virtual coursework.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, superintendent of schools

Eligibility for Virtual AP classes

Question: Who can be in Virtual AP classes?

Answer: Students interested in taking a Virtual Advanced Placement class must obtain a recommendation from their current teacher in the same subject area as the Virtual AP class they wish to take. During the 2013-14 school year, B-P will offer one Virtual AP course for sophomores and several courses for juniors and/or seniors. Ninth-grade students are not eligible to take any Virtual AP classes.

If you have any questions about your child's eligibility to take a Virtual AP class, please contact the high school counseling office at 954-2620.
- answered by Charla Simonson, high school counselor and Virtual AP program co-coordinator

Summer information about AP World History

Question: Mr. Jennings said that the students taking AP Global (AP World History) would be getting a letter in the mail from him by the end of July to go in and meet with him. I was wondering if there was any word on when that is happening. Thanks!

Answer: Originally we wanted to meet with students and parents before school let out in June. But since supplies have been slow to arrive, it looks like the letter won't be going out until early August, and the meeting will be scheduled for sometime in mid- to late-August. During the meeting, students will receive their laptops.
- answered by Jeff Jennings, AP World History teacher