Welcome to Capstone January 31, 2016

Introductions Dr. Tom Fowler – AP Coordinator Mrs. Donna Duncan – Assistant AP Coordinator Dr. Becky Britten – AP Seminar Instructor Ms. Leslie Brunson – AP Research Instructor

History of Capstone at West Capstone only in its second year as a College Board Program 2013 Southeast Regional Forum Pitched the idea to principal Application in Spring 2014 Approved in Fall 2014 Chose teacher for Seminar, Inaugural Cohort chosen

What is Capstone An innovative diploma program that helps students stand out in the college admissions process How? By equipping students with the independent research, critical thinking skills, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges

Capstone Approximately 300 total, non-charter, public schools (Four BASIS) Seven in Georgia (six public) High demand - Capstone statement: “Due to strong interest, we are unable to accept additional requests for participation in 2016-17 at this time.”

Pedagogical Framework Students consider and evaluate multiple points of view to develop their own perspectives on complex issues and topics through inquiry and investigation. Students use the following framework as they explore issues and topics: Question and Explore Understand and Analyze Arguments Evaluate Multiple Perspectives Synthesize Ideas Team, Transform, and Transmit

Capstone Courses Capstone Diploma Program is a two year program that consists of two courses, a thesis, a culminating oral presentation of the students’ research, collaboration skills, two Capstone AP exams

Capstone Courses Seminar (11th grade) The foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students will complete a team project, an individual paper (app. 2000 words), a presentation, and a written end-of-course exam

Capstone Courses Research (12th grade) Complete an independent research project, write a thesis paper of approximately 5,000 words, oral defense of your findings, exam

Seminar Assessment AP Seminar Assessment Structure Students are assessed with two thorough-course performance assessment tasks and one end-of-course exam. All three assessments are summative and will be used to calculate a final AP score (using the 1–5 scale) for AP Seminar. Team Project and Presentation | 25% of AP Score Individual Research and Reflection Written Team Report Team Multimedia Presentation and Defense Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation | 35% of AP Score Individual Written Argument Individual Multimedia Presentation Oral Defense End-of-Course Exam (3 Hours) | 40% of AP Score Understanding and analyzing an argument (3 short-answer questions) Evaluating and comparing the effectiveness of arguments (essay) Synthesizing information to develop an evidence-based argument essay (evidence-based argument essay)

Additional Requirements Complete a minimum of four additional AP courses, scoring at least a three (3) on the exams A score of three (3) or higher on both the Seminar and Research exams Concurrent enrollment in AP Language (11th grade) and AP Literature (12th grade)

Higher Education Support Close to 300 universities have given their support of Capstone and many grant college credit https://lp.collegeboard.org/ap-capstone/higher-education-support

West Selection Process Students who have a strong work ethic, academic success, intellectual curiosity, and teacher respect are selected to apply Informational session with both students and their parents Application Teacher recommendations Committee interview

Timeline January 31, 2016 – Information Session February 5, 2016 –Student applications due to Dr. Fowler or Mrs. Duncan February 8 – Teacher recommendations due to Dr. Fowler or Mrs. Duncan February 10 – 19 – Interviews February 26 – Notification of 2016-2017 Capstone Diploma Cohort invitees

Additional Information Only 50 students will be admitted to the Diploma Program Requires a laptop computer Students will not be permitted to drop the program once they and their parents have agreed to enter