Let me start off by being very clear: The teachers and students involved in these classes are not stupid. The existence of AP classes, as governed by the Advanced Placement wing of the College Board are an exercise in stupidity and branding.
The only requirement to get Advanced Placement credit is to score well on the exam. The classes are based on prepping for the exam. That’s it. And, worse yet, if you want to call your course “AP,” you have to submit and (wait for approval) your full year syllabus. If they don’t like it, they don’t approve it and you can’t call the course “AP.”
It’s a joke. It’s the College Board making a grab at controlling the curriculum. It’s gross and it’s wrong.