<p>My kids go to a private school and take AP courses (and pass them). I was surprised to learn that their public school friends (public school is mostly white) take the AP classes but don't BOTHER to take the tests!!!! Their excuse -- they said "no one ever passes them so why bother". I was shocked. The only reason they even take the AP classes is so that their "smart group" stays together (in AP and honors courses) and they get treated "special" by the school. What a shame that their parents don't insist that the AP teachers prepare them well-enough to pass the tests!!! These are children of engineers and other techies!!! These are smart kids!!!! So....my point is that even white kids aren't always served well by the AP system (and because they don't take the tests, the problem remains hidden).</p>