AP Courses

Sigrid Bathen (Opinion, Oct. 17) omits the major plausible explanation for the importance of Advanced Placement courses. Because of high school grade inflation, the grade point average does not validly represent ability, as it previously did; hence colleges use AP courses and SATs as more valid measures of academic ability. The central problem is not the shortage of AP classes but poor graduation rates, low grades and SATs and failure to meet the qualifying course requirements for college admission.

ROBERT E. HAYES

Garden Grove