With the bad state of the economy and the new fees that students have to pay to participate in sports or take an AP or IB exam, many families have begun to feel the heavier weight of their wallets. However, for one family in particular, this weight seems to be heavier than it is for other families. With three seniors, all of whom are taking a full-IB class-load, the Ko-Figueroa family has to pay $975 for their children just to take the exams, not to mention the fact that there is also a $400 fee for doing sports.
“I was shocked to find out that I would have to pay for my IB exams. I couldn’t believe that a public school was charging money to get a higher level of education,” senior Victoria Ko said. “It’s like a punishment for wanting more out of a high school education.”
Ko’s stepsister, senior Elisa Figueroa, was equally puzzled by the new fees. “When I found out that I would be charged for IB exams [last year], I was confused why the school would charge students for taking challenging classes when our teachers and guidance counselors advised us to take challenging classes,” Figueroa said.
However, there is hope for students who had to pay these fees. FCPS will not force students to pay for exam fees due to the ruling by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who said that these fees were illegal. According to district spokesman Paul Regnier, the Fairfax County school board will have the option of either refunding exam fees that were collected this year or remove the qualification that students must take these exams in order to receive credit, based on a plan that will be presented by Superintendent Jack Dale. The school board will make their decision on March 14, but whatever they choose to do, students will not have to pay the fees for IB or AP exams. The decision will carry into next year’s policy on AP and IB exams.
“Even if the county decides not to force students to take their exams, I don’t think that it’s wasting a year because I think what you learn in class is useful.” IB Math Studies teacher Brianne Trotochaud said. “Everything you learn in the class is beneficial, exam or not.”
Sophomore Shannon Casey also feels the pressure of the several fees her family will be paying due to being a three season athlete and a future IB Diploma Candidate.
“Since I plan on taking multiple IB classes, the fees would be really expensive for me and my family,” Casey said.
Along with the new exam and athletic fees, participating in different activities to seem more appealing to colleges is starting to become more expensive than it should be, with students also having to pay for things such as college application fees, SATs, ACTs and membership for different clubs. The removal of these $75 fees per exam are a huge relief to students.
