Students enrolled in AP and TCC classes usually cannot switch between them, however, special exceptions can be made like in the case of Jacob Devlin.
“There’s really no difference because that’s going to depend on the grade that the student has. Since both of them are rigorous, I wouldn’t say that one is easier than the other,” Academic Associate Principal Stephanie Monajami said. “It would have impacted if you went from TCC or AP to an on-level course because you’re going to lose that 10-point bonus in the GPA points.”
Both TCC and AP classes provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit before they graduate from high school. Students who wish to switch between AP and TCC courses find themselves limited in their options because AP students who want to switch into TCC classes must wait and switch at semester even though TCC students have the ability to switch into AP classes before then.
“AP courses allow students to dip into a little bit of what college coursework is like. If you get certain scores [on the AP exam], depending on the university you’re trying to go to, you can earn college credit,” Ms. Monajami said. “But even if you decide not to take the test, or if you don’t get the scores you need on the test to get the college credit, it still prepares you for a college setting.”
AP and TCC classes differ because of their unique course curriculums but also in the variety of courses offered.
“I like that AP has a lot more [classes offered] because TCC is a smaller college, they’re very limited on what they’ll [offer],” Ms. Monajami said. “There’s a lot more variety in the AP courses, and we don’t even offer them all on our campus.”
Even though TCC and AP classes have similarities in their benefits, one of the major downsides to TCC courses occurs for students who wish to attend out-of-state colleges.
“If you’re planning on going to school outside of Texas, they may not accept the TCC credit because it is a local community college,” Ms. Monajami said. “It’s really up to the student to be on top of things and keep track of their grades and make sure that they have what they need to get their credit.”
Student’s grades within TCC classes can often be a factor in their wish to transfer into an on-level or AP course.
“We do make case by case exceptions, depending on the student and depending on the coursework. It is very challenging for a student to move from TCC to an AP course. They really have to be willing to put in the work,” Ms. Monajami said. “I always ask and make sure that the teacher is okay with it as well because it’s a little extra work on their plate.”
One of these special cases applies to junior Jacob Devlin, who transferred from TCC English to AP English.
“You never know what you’re gonna get with the professor,” Devlin said. “I’d say AP classes are more standardized, so TCC classes can be really great, [but] I like AP better. I feel like [AP] was a better environment for me.”
Because of the less standardized course that TCC classes present, students, such as Devlin, who want a more standardized curriculum often choose AP courses.
“I like how [AP courses] push me to be better, and I like the college credit aspect of them,” Devlin said. “You got to stay on top of your work. Usually, there’s a lot of work, so you [need] to be organized.”
For students like Devlin, switching between TCC and AP classes allows students the best opportunity to perform to the best of their abilities.
“I think sometimes you need to switch out [of your class] and start something new,” Devlin said. “Maybe AP is better for you, or maybe TCC.”
No matter what students choose to do, the advanced course work of AP and TCC classes requires determination and an intense work ethic.
“If you decide that you’re going to take a TCC course, we need you to stay committed to that,” Ms. Monajami said. “But we also understand that the TCC instructors are not Mansfield ISD employees, and sometimes there may be philosophical differences or things that come up that a student is not comfortable in that class anymore.”
