A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 56, Issue 2 • Novemberber 2021 / 5782
Longer first-period AP Rise in early applications classes don’t improve stressing seniors, staff grades, data shows By Aliya Abergil Sophomore Editor
By Alan Shamah Contributing Writer
An examination conducted with first-period AP class final exam scores of students across 2018, 2019, and 2021 has revealed that longer classes may not improve student performances. Raw final exam scores, which are more objective than AP Scores because of the inherently subjective AP curve, were obtained by The Phoenix for multiple first-period classes, including AP Psychology and AP Calculus AB. The aim was to investigate whether any correlation existed between class length (including the extra 15 minutes a day added to class time during what is normally time for breakfast) and student performance. The scores from years that classes were longer, such as 2018 and 2019, were compared with scores from 2021, when first period classes lost 50 minutes of class time per week. A logical assumption would be that class time and student’s grades would have a positive correlation, meaning that as class time increased, so would stu-
dents’ grades; however, the scores indicated otherwise. For 122 students in two AP Psychology classes with extended time, such as in 2018 and 2019, the average final exam score was 84.3, with a median score of 87. When class time was reduced in 2021, the average final score went up more than two points to an average of 86.6, with a median of 91. In shorter AP Psychology classes, the average was 2.3 points higher, with a median 4 points higher. The results from the AP Calculus classes are similar. The average final score for students in Dr. Wolowelsky’s and Mrs. Shulman’s first period classes was 60.5, with a median of 63, during longer classes in 2018 and 2019. In 2021, the average score was slightly higher at 61.4, and the median stayed the same at 63 when class time was shortened. The results indicate that as the class time was shortened, student performance improved slightly. Dr. Teddy Chattah believes that longer class time and the further removal of student leisure time may not be the best
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Seniors have been sending in early college applications at increasing rates over the past few years, according to College Guidance, with 2021 being a high mark that has caused stress among many Ms. Natov works with senior Grace Betesh on her application Flatbush seniors. Twenty-four percent of the current students are taking college more serioussenior class submitted binding Early De- ly, and are also becoming more decisive cision applications this year, according to about what college they want to attend Ms. Long, the Director of College Guid- since Early Decision is binding. ance. This represents over a 10% increase College applications are known to in Early Decision applications over last be stressful, but applying early increases year, she said. anxiety and condenses the workload for For colleges, the binding nature of students. Senior Morris Zalta relayed, “I Early Decision (ED) applications (any feel extremely stressed and full of anxistudent accepted through ED is required ety from having to apply to college early.” to attend that college) is a way for them ED is more taxing on students not just to minimize the number of accepted stu- because applications are due sooner, but dents who enroll in other schools. also because it requires them to research For students, ED offers a greater colleges much earlier and then decide on chance at being admitted to their dream just one. college. But the downside is that applicaDespite the stress, many students have tions are typically due in November, two found it to be beneficial. “I applied earmonths before most “regular” January or ly because I knew what school I wanted February deadlines. to go to, and I knew that Early Decision This increase indicates that Flatbush would give me a better chance at being accepted,” senior Rena Angel explained. Another reason that students choose to apply early is because it sets them apart from the myriad of other students from Flatbush and around the country who apply to the same colleges. “I applied to a school Early Decision because a lot of students from Flatbush do apply to that school. I wanted to apply Early so that they wouldn’t take other Flatbush wise choices.” Although the testing prostudents over me,” senior Grace Betesh cess seems to always have a hushed tone described. about it, Rabbi Beyda doesn’t necessarily Moreover, there are more students encourage that. He elaborated, “We want who apply to Macaulay—a CUNY honpeople to know we’re doing it because ors program that awards full tuition word gets out pretty quickly, and peoscholarships to its students—now than in ple adjust their behaviors accordingly.” past years. Macaulay’s deadline is usually in early December, but this year it was Flatbush vs. public schools moved to November 16, reducing the In public schools, drug testing may applicants’ time to complete the applicaonly be performed on student athletes, tion. Many students tolerate Macaulay’s as mandated by federal law. If the school early deadline because of the prospect wishes to test a nonathlete, there must of a tuition-free college education. “Mabe reasonable suspicion that the student caulay is free. … It also affords students is using drugs. As a private school, Flat-
Drug testing explained: an interview with Rabbi Beyda
By Jeanette Cohen Junior Editor
Six years after Flatbush began testing students for banned substances, the student body still had numerous unanswered questions about how it works. The return of drug testing last month after a yearlong hiatus had many students asking those same questions once again. In a recent interview with Head of School Rabbi Beyda, The Phoenix was given the chance to find some answers. What was the motive behind the testing? Testing for banned substances at
In This Issue People: Page 2 D’var Torah: Page 4 Sports: Page 8
Flatbush began when vaping first rose in popularity. The administration felt that randomized testing would not only identify guilty students so that the school could provide them the help that they need, but also serve as a deterrent to students who might want to try it in the future. “When we first started we had a lot of positives, but once people saw that we were doing it, we started getting a lot less,” Rabbi Beyda said. “We care about the health and well-being of our students. Alongside education, both formal and informal, testing helps us maintain a school environment in which students can be healthy and make
Entertainment: How I Met Your Father Page 5
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Fun & Games Ask Merle gets advice from original Merle Page 6
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Fashion: State bags are a must Page 7 phoenix@flatbush.org | 1