1. Welcome to Capstone
January 31, 2016

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 at this time.”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 words), a presentation, and a written end-of-course exam

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. Higher Education Support
Close to 300 universities have given their support of Capstone and many grant college credit

13. 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

14. 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 Capstone Diploma Cohort invitees

15. 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