Advanced Programs in Jefferson County Amy C. Fineburg, PhD Advanced Programs specialist Jefferson county schools

What are Advanced Programs? Programs that expect college or career-level work from students while in high school Advanced Placement – assessment-based International Baccalaureate – program completion & assessment-based Dual enrollment – successful community college program completion Early college – successful four-year college program completion

Pros and Cons of Advanced Classes You get to learn interesting and challenging stuff. Class discussions tend to be deeper and higher level. You could earn college credit. You earn an extra quality point on your GPA. You are better prepared for the ACT. You are expected to learn challenging stuff. You are expected to do a good amount of work on your own. You may not make an A. Or a B. Or a C. You are expected to take the AP Exam in AP classes.

Should I (or my child) take advanced classes? Depends on your plans! If students plan to attend a two or four-year college/university, they should take at least one advanced class during high school. If students plan to go to a selective college or university, they should take most or all of the advanced classes offered here. If students want to enter a field where specialized skills are required, they should take a dual enrollment course in that field. BOTTOM LINE: If students are interested in the subject and willing to do the work – they should take the class!

How do we help students taking advanced classes? Students earn a higher quality point on their GPA for advanced courses. .5 quality point for advanced classes 1 quality point for AP/dual enrollment/early college classes AP Exam fees are subsidized to alleviate the costs, and some dual enrollment courses qualify for state scholarships. Dual enrollment and early college courses taken in high school are roughly half as expensive as they are when taken after high school.

Jefferson County Schools Think about your future plans… What are you DOING TODAY THAT GETS YOU THERE? Amy C. Fineburg, PhD Jefferson County Schools afineburg@jefcoed.com