<p>"then when a kid gets to college what’s to encourage them to take a course 498 as an elective rather than course 101 as an elective. "</p>
<p>Well, for one thing, the fact that their transcipt will be reviewed should they apply to grad school. The opposite question can also be asked – what encourages a high school student to take an AP course if they know they would be risking their GPA and know that they can easily get a 4.0 by taking easier classes? I think the weighted grade for AP courses (and I think only AP courses should be weighted) frees kids from the anxiety of blowing their GPA and allows them to take chances.</p>