AP Courses in Forethought: It’s a Process

Why do we need a common syllabus? We must create a system that supports the end goal of student success in Advanced Placement courses and on the AP exams.

We want the students who tackle Advanced Placement coursework to enter the classroom equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. For example: Many students sitting in BISD AP courses are reading at a 7 th grade level – this is not good enough. Why do we need a common syllabus?

In order to deliver better prepared students to your classrooms, strong vertical alignment must be built into the BISD system. Once course syllabi are established, the vertical work can begin to ensure that PreAP courses across the district are precisely aligned to student success in AP courses. Why do we need a common syllabus?

“The world’s best school systems foster a culture of sharing what works and what doesn’t. In the high-scoring schools of Finland, South Korea and Shanghai, studies show, teachers are not like private emperors in their classrooms; they make their practice public, becoming the ‘learners of their own teaching.’” - Melinda Burns, “Teacher Collaboration Gives Schools Better Results” Why do we need a common syllabus?

The goal is NOT to take away individual decisions about teaching in the moment – you are the expert. You know what your students need. You have your own signature teaching style. A common syllabus will never take the place of your expertise or overshadow the artistry of your teaching. Why do we need a common syllabus?

AP Courses: The Process Identify standards and strands Prepare standards for entry into Forethought Develop Common Syllabus Identify standards taught in each unit of syllabus and create a Scope and Sequence chart In Forethought, bundle standards into units based on syllabus and scope and sequence Develop standard clarification documents for each standard Develop Unit Overviews, Vocabulary, Resources Develop/locate assessments and cornerstone tasks for each unit Phase II and III Work: Align TEKS to AP standards, Identify high- yield strategies and structures for each unit, develop/locate exemplar lessons/activities, Vertical Alignment

What are the “standards” for my course? Identify standards and strands

Standards in Forethought Cut and paste to Microsoft Word Remove all bullets and symbols Bold each new strand title Leave a space between each strand Prepare standards for entry into Forethought

Standards in Forethought Prepare standards for entry into Forethought

Common Syllabus Develop Common Syllabus

Unit Standards -Examine each unit on your syllabus -Identify the standards that are taught within each unit Identify standards taught in each unit of syllabus and create a Scope and Sequence chart

Scope and Sequence Identify standards taught in each unit of syllabus and create a Scope and Sequence chart

Unit Bundling in Forethought Bundle standards into units based on syllabus and scope and sequence

Standard Clarification Documents Develop standard clarification documents for each standard -Create in Microsoft Word using the template provided

Unit Documents Develop Unit Overviews, Vocabulary, Resources Develop/locate assessments and cornerstone tasks for each unit

Phase II and III Work Future Work: Align TEKS to AP standards, Identify high- yield strategies and structures for each unit, develop/locate exemplar lessons/activities

Summer Vertical Work

1.Common Syllabus - For courses that are being redesigned (AP Spanish Lit and Chemistry), this will not be done until after APSI - All other courses: hash this out today, make plan for completion date - We want to submit syllabi as soon as window opens June 1 2.Standards and Strands Word document 3.Align standards to syllabus Which standards go where in the syllabus? 4.Scope and Sequence Word document template 5.Clarifying Documents Word document template Tasks for the Day Tracey and Crysten will be available to each team throughout the day