May 27, 2015

What Does it Mean to be Accelerated? Accelerated: To be on an advanced track of coursework by taking courses one year early. –Students in the 8 th grade accelerated class take 9 th grade courses. –This skipping of curriculum only happens during the middle school years. –Students are then always ahead of their grade level peers in the accelerated subjects. Advanced Placement Courses: These are high school courses offered to students beginning in 11 th grade that are developed by high school teachers and college faculty. These classes allow you the possibility to earn college credit by taking the AP exam.

Why Do We Offer Acceleration? According to NYS regulations, public school students in grade eight shall have the opportunity to take high school courses in mathematics and at least one other area. Onteora offers accelerated courses in math, science and art.

Acceleration in Math 8 th GradeAlgebra I 9 th GradeGeometry 10 th GradeAlgebra 2/Trig 11 th GradeAlgebra 2/Stats and Intro to Calc 12 th GradeAP Calculus The 8 th grade Algebra I curriculum includes a blend of curriculums – 8 th grade math and Common Core Algebra This information is subject to change with the new common core curriculum

Paths if You Don’t Accelerate in Math in 8 th Grade Typical math progression for a student who takes a 1 year Algebra course as a 9 th Grader 9 th GradeAlgebra I 10 th GradeGeometry 11 th GradeAlgebra 2/Trig 12 th GradeAlgebra 2/Stats and Intro to Calc In the past, students have chosen to self-accelerate by doubling up on math courses with teacher approval 9 th GradeAlgebra I 10 th GradeGeometry AND Algebra 2/Trig 11 th GradeAlgebra 2/Stats and Intro to Calc 12 th GradeAP Calculus This information is subject to change with the new common core curriculum

An Example of Acceleration in Science 8 th GradeLiving Environment w/Lab 9 th GradeEarth Science w/Lab 10 th GradeChemistry w/Lab 11 th GradeAP Chemistry 12 th GradeAP Physics By taking Living Environment in 8 th grade, students completely miss the 8 th grade Physical Science curriculum. Students may be responsible for filling in curriculum gaps for the next 5 years.

Examples of Paths if You Don’t Accelerate in Science in 8 th Grade An Example of HS Science Progression 9 th GradeLiving Environment w/Lab 10 th GradeEarth Science w/Lab 11 th GradeChemistry w/Lab 12 th GradePhysics w/Lab or AP Science Course Students may choose to self- accelerate by doubling up on science courses with teacher approval 9 th GradeLiving Environment w/Lab AND Earth Science w/Lab 10 th GradeChemistry w/Lab 11 th GradePhysics w/Lab 12 th GradeAP Science Course

MS Impact of Acceleration Middle School schedule effects –Students in accelerated science cannot take another middle school elective (Studio Art or pre-engineering) –Students in accelerated science can only take one music ensemble to accommodate health

Impact of Acceleration What is the student’s purpose for accelerating? –If they want to be challenged, take Regents Exams a year early, and want to take full course load in 12 th grade with AP courses then accelerate –This is not an opportunity to satisfy the math and science NYS graduation requirements early. –This is not an opportunity to place your students with high achieving students in the hopes of improving their work ethic or keep up with friends. Accelerated Courses have increased demands: –Increased rigor –Increasing pacing –Increasing depth of material Accelerated students should be: –More mature than the average middle school student –Independent learners with strong internal motivation –Able to handle stress in an appropriate, non-anxious manner

Impact of Acceleration Starting of the High School transcript –Grades received impact GPA and high school rank This information is reported to colleges for their admission process Colleges are looking for accelerated courses with averages of 95, not 85 Accelerated courses are weighted at 1.01 – minimal impact on rank AP courses are weighted at 1.06 – increased impact on rank. –Students can take AP classes starting in 11 th grade, without taking accelerated math and science –NYS Regents Exams are reported on transcript Grades received will determine Honors or High Honors designation on Diploma