1. AP US Government 2015-16 School Year Methacton High School Mrs. Ladson

2. Agenda/Topics to Be Covered Resources for Parents Personal Background Course Goals Resources (texts, etc.) What have we done so far this year? Curriculum Units Classroom Policies/Grading Preparation for the AP Test

3. Resources for Parents Mrs. Ladson’s website –http://www.methacton.org//Domain/228http://www.methacton.org//Domain/228 –Notes, projects, grading rubrics, etc. will be posted Due Dates for assignments, tests, etc. are posted via sapphire –https://pamet- sapphire.k12system.com/CommunityWebPortal/Welco me.cfmhttps://pamet- sapphire.k12system.com/CommunityWebPortal/Welco me.cfm AP Program information on MHS website –http://www.methacton.org/Page/10112http://www.methacton.org/Page/10112 -Can sign up for text message announcements such as test sign-ups, payments, etc.

4. Personal Background - Education Methacton School District Grad (1986) Penn State University Undergraduate degree in Secondary Education Social Studies (1990) Chestnut Hill College – Master’s Degree in Technology in Education (1998) Numerous continuing education classes on politics and government

5. Personal Background – Work Experience Christina School District, Delaware 1991- 1993. –Taught 7 th and 8 th grade American history and a criminal law elective. Arcola Intermediate School from 1993- 2005. –7 th grade ancient world history. Chestnut Hill College from 2002-2004 –Taught undergraduate education classes focusing on technology use. Methacton High School 2005- present –Currently teaching AP US and Honors level Government classes.

6. Class Goals Provide an overview of how the US government/democracy functions. Take part in “political labs” activities to develop a stronger understanding of concepts discussed in class and the text. –Budget simulation –Mock city council –Mock political parties –Mock elections –Mock Congress –Debates and Seminars Students will further develop their own personal ideology on various topics discussed in class and become a more knowledgeable and active citizen. Prepare students for the AP US Government exam that takes place in May.

7. Texts and Readings American Government –1 text that stays at home for homework assignments (2 years old) – AP College Board approved text Lanahan Reader on American Politics –Collection of various articles – recent and classic - that coordinates with our curriculum –AP approved Various up-to-date articles on topics being discussed in class.

8. Additional Resources Annual Editions Reading series –American Government –Local and State government (2) Mobile labs are shared between 4 government teachers that are utilized for various assignments and projects.

9. What have we done so far this year? Economic Policy –Tax revenues for local, state and national governments Income taxes Capital gains Sales Property tax –Federal government budget process (fiscal policy) Deficit spending Budget simulation –How does the government try to regulate the economy in general? (monetary policy) Federal Reserve (Interest rates, reserves, bond rates) Economic Theories (Keynesian, Reaganomics, supply-side tax cuts, etc.

10. What have we done so far this year? Domestic Policy –Social Security –Medicare/Medicaid/Affordable Care Act –Unemployment –Aid to low income families Welfare, Medicaid, food stamps, housing assistance, Head Start, etc. –Education Policy (charters, vouchers, No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top) –Environmental Policy

11. What have we done so far this year? American Ideology and Public Opinion Unit –Overview of American Ideology Conservative Moderate Liberal Libertarian –Ideology self-test provides feedback about their own ideology.

12. What have we done so far this year? Political Parties –History of US parties –Structure parties at local, state, and national level –Two-party system –Republican vs. Democrat platforms –Minor/third parties

13. Major Units - Semester 1 Interest Groups (summer) Media (summer) Policy Unit –Economic –Domestic/Social Political Participation, Ideology, Public Opinion Political Parties Elections and Campaigns Constitution Judicial Branch A full class syllabus is available on-line through my teacher website.

14. Major Units – Semester 2 Civil Liberties and Rights Congress Presidency Bureaucracy (federal departments and agencies) Federalism Intensive AP Test Prep

15. After the AP Test Criminal Law –Jury duty –Possible mock trial project Personal Finance –Credit ratings and borrowing money –Personal investments

16. Grading Policy Grading –80% - quizzes, tests, projects Tests and quizzes need to be made up within one week. Late projects lose a letter grade, every day they are late. –10% Homework No late work unless student is sick – then only two days per day absent. –10% Class participation 5% verbal which is tracked at least 3X a week by teacher. 5% is written assignments completed in class and handed in to the teacher. MHS Academic Code will be enforced.

17. Classroom Policies Biggest concern is make up work from missed classes. –Cell phones –Two days make up for every day sick. –“Educational travel” includes trips to visit colleges, field trips, etc. – All work needs to be gathered ahead of time and is due when the student returns. –MHS official limit for educational travel is one week. –Will be flexible within reason. –Please be aware of cumulative effect of missed school days.

18. AP Test Information AP Program information on MHS website –http://www.methacton.org/Page/10112http://www.methacton.org/Page/10112 -Can sign up for text message announcements such as test sign-ups, payments, etc.

19. Preparation for AP Test Entire curriculum (including resources) was approved through a College Board (AP) audit. Text assignments for all of the chapters in the AP approved text. Tests and essays are in AP style Review sessions and practice tests starting in April. Actual test date is Tuesday May 10, 2016.

20. What is the format of the AP US Gov. test ? Part I – 60 multiple choice questions (45 minutes) Part II – 4 free response essays ( 100 min.) Sign-ups start in February Payment by end of March ($89 per test) Actual test date for 2016 is Tuesday May 10 (morning session) Test make-ups will be hard to schedule

21. 2014-2015 AP US GOV Test Results Students taking the test (Ladson only) 72 Average score was a over a 3.6 out of 5. MHS (Ladson) students % passing (3 or higher) = 93% (national average is usually about 50%) MHS studentsNational % 5’s-13 (about 18%) (around 10%) 4’s-22 (31%) (around 15%) 3’s-32 (44 %) (around 25%) 2’s- 4 (6 %) (around 25%) 1’s- 1 (about 1%) (around 25%) 49% of my students earned a 4 or 5

22. 2013-2014 AP US GOV Test Results Students taking the test (Ladson only) 69 Average score was a over a 4 (4.13) out of 5. MHS (Ladson) students % passing (3 or higher) = 94% (national average is usually about 50%) MHS studentsNational % 5’s-32 (about 46%) (around 10%) 4’s-19 (28%) (around 15%) 3’s-14 (19%) (around 25%) 2’s- 3 (4 %) (around 25%) 1’s- 1 (less than 1%) (around 25%) 74% of my students earned a 4 or 5.

23. 2012-2013 AP US GOV Test Results Students taking the test (Ladson only) 75 Average score was a “4” (3.8) out of 5. MHS (Ladson) students % passing (3 or higher) = 83% (national average is usually about 50%) MHS studentsNational % 5’s-25 (about 33%)(around 10%) 4’s-23 (31%) (around 15%) 3’s-14 (19%)(around 25%) 2’s- 13 (17%) (around 25%) 1’s-0 (0%) (around 25%) 64% of my students earned a 4 or 5.

24. 2011-2012 AP US GOV Test Results Students taking the test (Ladson) 64 Average score was a “4” (3.72) MHS (Ladson) students % passing (3 or higher) = 92% (national average is usually about 50%) MHS studentsNational % 5’s-15 (about 23%) (around 10%) 4’s-22 (34%) (around 15%) 3’s-22 (34%) (around 25%) 2’s-4 (6%) (around 25%) 1’s-1 (<2%) (around 25%) 57% of my students earned a 4 or 5 on the test.

25. 2010-2011 AP US GOV Test Results Students taking the test (Ladson) 47 Average score was a “4” (4.043) MHS (Ladson) students % passing (3 or higher) = 96% (national average was 51.6%) MHS studentsNational % 5’s-22 (47%)12.6% 4’s-7 (15%)13.9% 3’s-16 (34%)25.1% 2’s-2 (4%)24.3% 1’s-024.1% 62% of my students earned a 4 or 5 on the test.

26. 2009-2010 AP US GOV Test Results Students taking the test – 66 Average score was a “4” MHS students % passing (3 or higher) = 93% MHS studentsPA %National % 5’s-23 (35%)16%12% 4’s-15 (23%)15%13% 3’s-23 (35%) 28%26% 2’s-5 (8%) 21%24% 1’s-0 19%25% 58% of my students earned a 4 or 5

27. 2008-2009 AP US GOV Test Results Methacton 5’s— 27 (59%) 4’s— 15 (33%) 3’s —3 (7%) 2’s— 1 (1%) * 92% of my students earned a 4 or 5 Students taking the test– 46

28. 2007-2008 AP US GOV Test Results Methacton Students vs. State Average 5’s—26 (%46)%15 4’s— 4 (%7)%17 3’s—22 (39%)%28 2’s— 4 (7%)%24 Students taking the test– 56