Hoping to Salvage AP for Next Year

Today's weather:  High = 25  Low = 12

Sunny

Progress is being made to get the AP tests ordered for the coming exam season, but the overall reluctance of students to sign up for the AP Test and for students to take AP Calculus next year is having me concerned.  

Word must have gotten around not to take AP, as only 10 students have signed up next year, as opposed to this year's 25.  Then again, the 25 probably went in blind, or seduced by the face and status that the two letters AP could bring them.

Is it possible that the AP curriculum isn't the way to go for Chinese students?  Or maybe it's our particular brand of Chinese students who want to escape the demands of the domestic program and enroll in an international program to prepare for overseas study -- a program that is supposedly easier.  Whatever the case, they balk at the rigors of standardized tests and the hard work needed to prepare for the demanding AP Test.  My only question is this, if they don't want to take the test, then why are they in my class??!!

Maybe there are exclusive AP schools that exist.  If there are, I would jump at the chance to teach at them.  

Research seems to indicate that IB schools are much more popular overseas, which is a shame, as I'm philosophically opposed to the IB curriculum.  The two curricula are nearly polar opposite of each other, as IB emphasizes more project-based learning, student-centered learning, and connections between subjects.

Even so, AP curriculum continues to grow by leaps and bounds.