The French Ministry of education has just announced that the often discussed, but never confirmed, Bac Franco-American which would link the French baccalaureate and the American AP systems by allowing students to substitute certain traditional subjects taken for a French Bac with AP exams is set to begin next year.  In essence, students entering 11^th grade in September 2009 would have three AP courses as part of their program (see table).  The new program is very much an issue of great debate amongst French school directors in the network.


Burning issues are:

-         Costs involved as clearly all French Bac students would not want or linguistically be able to follow the AP structure.  

-         Quality of the program.  The AP is known for its “learn by heart” and ultimately multiple guess testing format which does not necessarily fit into an essay-driven, critical thinking mentality that has been the cornerstone of our educational philosophy… But would the marriage be a wonderful opportunity to marry the two systems?

What is clear is that, as with any program brought to us by the French ministry, it will be something we look into as a school.  If it is in the best interest of our kids, we will definitely be discussing this option again!