restore AP Chinese test site at Montgomery High School

To: Montgomery Township School District Board of Education

We, the undersigned parents, students, and community members, call on the Montgomery Township School District (MTSD) to restore AP Chinese Language and Culture testing at Montgomery High School (MHS) and ensure the exam is ordered before the November 13, 2026 deadline.

Why this matters?

MTSD's policy of offering AP exams only for courses taught at MHS creates an unnecessary obstacle for students whose academic interests extend beyond the school's curriculum. The impact on Chinese heritage students is particularly clear: despite repeated requests from students and families, AP Chinese testing has not been available at MHS.

Over the six school years from 2019–20 through 2024–25, 58 students took the AP Chinese exam. These students had to find alternative testing arrangements to demonstrate their language proficiency. Their experience reflects a continuing need, not an isolated request.

The district's own historical data also show that students have taken other AP exams in subjects not offered at MHS:

Source: Historical data provided by petition organizers. 

A policy that deserves reconsideration

AP examinations measure students' knowledge against standardized criteria. Students should have a fair opportunity to take these exams regardless of whether they learned the material at MHS, through independent study, or at an outside educational program. Providing an exam does not require the district to offer a new course or endorse outside instruction.

For many Chinese heritage students, learning Chinese involves years of weekend-school classes and sustained effort to develop reading and writing skills in addition to speaking proficiency. AP Chinese testing offers a meaningful way to demonstrate that achievement and preserve a connection to family, language, and culture. These efforts should not be dismissed as merely college-driven competition.

We recognize the district's interest in protecting student well-being and avoiding unnecessary academic pressure. However, access to an exam should be a matter of opportunity, not an expectation that every student must participate. Restricting AP testing may unintentionally diminish Chinese American students' achievements and reinforce stereotypes that their pursuit of academic excellence reflects unhealthy competition. Students who pursue subjects beyond the MHS curriculum should not face additional barriers simply because those subjects are not taught at school. At the October Board meeting, no evidence was presented that eliminating the testing site is more effective at protecting student well-being than less restrictive alternatives, such as counseling and clearly communicating that these exams are optional.

Our requests

We respectfully ask the Board of Education to:

1. Restore AP Chinese Language and Culture testing at MHSand ensure the exam is ordered before the November 13, 2026deadline.

2. Review the AP testing policy to establish a fair, consistent process for students seeking exams in subjects not taught at MHS.

3. Request a legal review by the district attorney under applicable New Jersey nondiscrimination and educational-equity laws, including whether the policy may have a disparate impact on students in a protected class.

We are not asking the Board to presume that a legal violation has occurred. We are asking for an objective review of the policy, its effects on students, and whether changes are warranted to ensure equitable access.

MTSD should recognize students' dedication, respect their diverse educational interests, and remove unnecessary barriers to demonstrating what they have learned. Restoring AP Chinese testing at MHS is a practical step toward those goals.

We urge the Board to act before the upcoming registration deadline (November 13, 2026) and ensure that AP Chinese Language and Culture testing is once again available at MHS.

Petition signatures

By signing below, we support the requests outlined in this petition.