During the Spring of 1995, the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science (CS) Test Development Committee announced that a transition would be made from Pascal to C++ for both the AP CS A exam and the AP CS AB exam. This announcement led to much discussion in the computer science community. As a result, the College Board and Educational Testing Service (ETS) established an "AP Computer Science Ad Hoc Committee" to advise the AP CS Test Development Committee concerning this transition to C++. In an effort to reflect a range of viewpoints, this Ad Hoc Committee included two SIGCSE representatives, Barbara Boucher Owens (owens@acad.stedwards.edu) and Henry M. Walker (walker@math.grin.edu)

Current Status

• The first offering of the AP CS Examination in C++ will be May 1999.
  Originally, ETS was considering switching to C++ as early as May 1998. This revised date reflects, in part, the strong recommendation of the AP CS Ad Hoc Committee.

• Since any transition in language will require significant time for teacher training, acquisition of appropriate hardware and/or software, revision of class schedules, development of class materials, and related preparation, there is a reluctance to change many other elements of the AP CS Course Description at the same time. Thus, it seems best not to change course content -- beyond the programming language -- at this time. (As noted in the most recent meeting minutes, however, the AP CS Course Description is being updated and corrected so that it more accurately reflects the current contest of the exams.)

• Since the overall C++ programming language is large and complex, a subset of C++ has been defined for use on the AP CS examinations. The current statement of this C++ subset reflects feedback received from the circulation of draft materials. The draft materials were presented at the 1996 SIGCSE Symposium to encourage additional comment.

• A commentary now is available, adding details about the C++ subset and explaining why a variety of choices were made.

• Work has begun on a revised Teacher's Guide for a C++ based AP CS course. Fran Trees of the AP CS Ad Hoc Committee will be a principal editor and writer.

• Plans are being made for 2 sets of training sessions in the Summer, 1997. These sessions will be intended for AP consultants who give regional workshops to CS teachers, so the leaders of various AP workshops around the country will understand the important elements and issues regarding the change to C++. Note that ETS already has budgeted these training sessions, and various leaders (people who have recently served on the AP CS Test Development Committee) are already talking about specific content and schedules for these sessions.

• In considering the curricular content and programming language(s) in introductory computer science courses, there is a need for high school and college faculty to come together on a regular basis for ongoing discussions. High school teachers need to know about curricular directions in colleges and about college expectations for incoming students. College teachers need to understand opportunities and constraints for teaching in high schools. Unfortunately, this contact rarely takes place (except at AP CS readings), and some college faculty may have a tendency to pontificate without listening.

• The AP CS Test Development Committee genuinely wants to receive feedback on content, directions, and details of the AP CS Course Description.

• Since SIGCSE is a natural place for discussions to occur, the SIGCSE organization is reviewing how it may take a more active role in promoting such interactions. (More generally, SIGCSE is working to reach out to a broader audience at all levels. Cooperation between high schools and colleges can be one important part of general curricular discussion.)

A Brief History

In part as a response to these and other letters, during the Summer of 1995, The College Board and ETS appointed an "AP Computer Science Ad Hoc Committee" for a one-year period to advise the AP CS Test Development Committee. The official term of this Ad Hoc Committee ended in April, 1996. Members of the Committee and individuals associated with The College Board and ETS hope the Ad Hoc Committee will continue informal interactions for some time.

An important part of the work of the AP CS Ad Hoc Committee was the drafting and refining of a C++ subset for use within the AP CS Course Description and examination. In defining this subset, a draft document was produced and distributed at the 1996 SIGCSE Symposium, and feedback was explicitly encouraged. In particular, both a panel and a Birds-of-a-Feather Session were organized to present draft materials and to provide an opportunity for continued discussion. The World Wide Web was used for additional materials and feedback.

Documents and References

• The AP CS C++ Subset, describing some philosophy behind the the selection of material, the elements of C++ to be used in AP CS, a detailed description and rationale for this C++ subset, some specific AP CS C++ classes, and a "Second Call for Comments"

• April 6, 1995 from SIGCSE to College Board and ETS

• AP CS Ad Hoc Committee Notes
  • Send mail to Ad Hoc Committee Members

  • SIGCSE Representatives on the Committee
    Barbara Boucher Owens (owens@acad.stedwards.edu)
    Henry M. Walker (walker@math.grin.edu)

  • Other Members
    Owen Astrachan, Committee Chair, (ola@cs.duke.edu)
    Mike Clancy (clancy@eecs.berkeley.edu)
    Fran Trees (71520.3537@compuserve.com)
    Allen Tucker (allen@polar.bowdoin.edu)
    Ron Vavrinek (rvav@imsa.edu)
    Mark Weiss (weiss@fiu.edu)
    Gail Chapman, ETS Consultant, (gchapman@ets.org)

  • Notes on First meeting: August 12-13, 1995

  • Notes on Second meeting: January 13-15, 1996

  • Notes on Third meeting: April 27-29, 1996

Additional Notes

• The College Board and ETS are firmly committed to C++ at this time.
  The concerns raised by SIGCSE's April 6, 1995 letter about the process that led to this decision have not been reviewed (at least publicly).
  Since SIGCSE had no part in the discussions that led to this decision, it takes no official position concerning the conclusion.
  SIGCSE members seem widely divided on this issue.

• The SIGCSE representatives on the AP CS Ad Hoc Committee believe that, given the selection of C++ as the language for AP CS, the particular subset seems appropriate. Further, from the perspective of the SIGCSE representatives, the definition and explanation of this AP CS C++ subset reduces many of the fears that were raised initially about the change to C++. While the choice of C++ clearly will not satisfy everyone, the AP CS C++ subset does seem to allow AP CS courses to avoid many of the pitfalls of C++ while capitalizing on some of its advantages.

• ETS and AP CS will make an effort to identify resources and grants that might help needy school districts to obtain both the hardware and the software needed for a move to C++.

• Over the long term, the AP CS Test Development Committee has expressed its interest in receiving feedback on the AP CS Course Descriptions for both the A and AB syllabi. At present, however, these descriptions have become somewhat dated. Thus, in the short term, the AP CS Test Development Committee is working to revise the AP CS Course Descriptions to more accurately describe the current courses and examinations. Once that work is complete, the AP CS Test Development Committee has expressed an interest in engaging the computer science community in an on-going dialog about possible revisions and new directions for AP CS.

• Official College Board Information
  The College Board maintains a World Wide Web page with various information about Advanced Placement in general and AP CS in particular.

Your SIGCSE representatives on the Committee welcome your comments.

SIGCSE

Suggestions concerning this World Wide Web page are welcome.

Henry M. Walker (walker@math.grin.edu)