1. An Introduction to the Advanced Placement Program®
East View High School

2. Welcome East View High School is committed to every student’s success.
We believe access to rigorous course work such as Advanced Placement® (AP®) plays an important role in that success.
Presenter Notes:
Some of you may be familiar with our program and for many of you this will be new information. Our program continues to grow and evolve, so we hope you’ll find this information helpful.
This is your meeting so as we go through the information, please jot down your questions and I’ll stop periodically to answer them.

3. Teachers and Students
Panel Introduction

4. What Are Advanced Placement® Courses?

5. Advanced Placement ®: The Basics
AP® courses are college-level courses offered in high school
Courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses
Students MAY take AP Exams at the end of the course, measuring their mastery of college-level work.
A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college. As of 2016, all Texas state schools MUST offer college credit for a 3 or higher on an AP test.
The success of AP students in high school is continually evaluated and researched
Presenter can add to this information with the following points:
Advanced Placement® is a program developed and overseen by the College Board, the not-for-profit organization that is responsible for the PSAT/NMSQT®, SAT®, and other programs and services in college readiness and college success that help more than seven million students each year prepare for a successful transition to college.

6. EVHS AP® Courses
Arts
AP Music theory
AP Studio Art 2-D Design
AP Studio Art 3-D Design
English
AP Language and Composition (English III)
AP Literature and Composition (English IV)
History and Social Sciences
AP Macroeconomics
AP Psychology
AP United States History
AP United States Government
AP World History
AP European History
*For courses in red students may choose dual credit through ACC on East View campus
Mathematics and Computer Science
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Computer Science A
AP Statistics
Sciences
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics I
AP Physics II
AP Physics C (Calculus Based)
World Languages and Cultures
AP French Language and Culture
AP German Language and Culture
AP Spanish Language and Culture
AP Spanish Literature and Culture
Presenter will highlight courses in each content area

7. AP®: The Benefits

8. AP®: The Benefits
Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills
Taking AP is valued in the college admission process
AP courses are interesting and rewarding academic experiences
Opportunity to earn valuable credit and placement in college
AP courses are “weighted.” Students can earn higher GPA and class rank by taking college level courses.

9. AP® from the College Admissions Perspective
85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions*
Colleges rank grades in college-preparatory courses and strength of curriculum as the two top factors in the admission decision
AP courses tell college admission officials that students are challenging themselves and preparing for the rigors they'll encounter in their college careers
*Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research Inc., March 2007
Presenters are encouraged to include the AP® policies and statements of their own local and state universities where applicable to reinforce the importance of AP classes in the competitive college admission process.

10. AP®: Skills & Advantages that Last a Lifetime
Taking an AP course helps students build critical thinking skills, confidence, and the essential time management and study skills needed for college success
Nationally, research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically earn higher grade point averages in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers*
*2009, The College Board, “The Relationship Between AP Exam Performance and College Outcomes"

11. AP® Expands Students’ Options
When students earn college credit through AP Exams, their options and opportunities expand:
Move to upper-level college courses sooner
Pursue a double major
Gain time to study and travel abroad

12. AP® Exams

13. AP® Exams
AP Exams are administered by schools worldwide on set dates in May each year.
Exams are typically 2–3 hours and include:
Multiple-choice questions
Free-response items such as essays, problem solving, document-based questions and oral response

14. AP® Exam Fees The exam fee for 2017 is $98 per exam.
Assistance is available for eligible students with financial need:
(This year it is $20 per exam for those on free and reduced lunch
Exam fees are used for compensating AP readers, continued research, and test development.

15. Credit and Placement Opportunities
Each college and university has its own policies regarding AP® credit and placement. The College Board offers information about AP credit at thousands of college and universities at
Search by school name or alphabetically
Data for each school includes a direct link to that school’s Web page detailing AP credit and placement policies
A statement from the college or university about its AP policy

16. What is it like to take AP®?

17. AP® Myths & Realities Myth Reality
AP courses are for students who always get good grades.
AP courses are for any students who are academically prepared and motivated to take college-level courses.
AP courses are too stressful.
It's no secret that AP courses are challenging. But the support you receive from your classmates and teachers can help you manage the work load.
I don't think I will score high enough on the AP Exam to get college credit.
You don’t need to score a 5. Many colleges grant credit — and placement as well — based on a 3 or higher on an AP Exam.
Taking AP courses could hurt my GPA.
A “B” in an AP class is the GPA Equivalent to an “A” in a core class. Taking AP courses shows colleges that you’re willing to challenge yourself academically.
I can’t take AP because no one has recommended me.
If you think you’re ready to take an AP course, then you’re ready to advocate for yourself — just talk to a teacher or counselor.
Presenter: This is a good time to address any other “myths” or misperceptions that you hear from your students about the AP program.

18. Faculty Observations Regarding AP and Dual Credit
Faculty Observations Concerning AP
Faculty Observations Concerning Dual Credit
College credit can be earned only by passing a test at the end of the course. (High school credit can be earned regardless).
College credit and high school credit can be awarded by earning a C or higher in the course.
GISD teachers are the instructors in AP classes. Parents and students have the same access to AP instructors that they do to other teachers.
Dual credit teachers are not housed on campus. Students must follow ACC policies for teacher contact. Parents cannot contact ACC instructors.
Students may earn up to a 100 semester average in an AP course.
Students may earn up to a 95 semester average in a dual credit course.
Parents and students are provided with grades per GISD’s grading calendar (every three weeks). Grades are accessible on TEAMS.
Grades are provided at semester. Access to grades varies. Parents do not have access to grades.
AP is recognized by most schools nationwide.
Dual credit is recognized by public schools in Texas. Check with other universities.

19. Faculty Observations Concerning AP and Dual Credit
Faculty Observations Concerning Dual Credit
Students may take any combination of AP courses provided that they fit into their schedule.
Students must take dual credit history AND English courses for two years. They cannot drop one and continue taking the other.
Performances in AP classes do not affect college credit. (Students may earn credit for scoring well on an AP test.)
Dual credit grades are a permanent part of college transcripts.
AP classes follow the same schedule as other East View classes.
Dual credit classes start later in the semester and end earlier. Students attend classes on Monday and Wednesday. Friday is a study hall.
Any student can take an AP course. (Students should have a strong work ethic in order to be successful.)
Students must pass the TSI (college entrance test) to take an ACC course or score high enough on an alternate test (such as the PSAT).
AP tests cost $98 each. The course is free. Textbooks are included with the course .
Students pay reduced tuition for ACC courses. Students must purchase textbooks.
Presenter: This is a good time to address any other “myths” or misperceptions that you hear from your students about the AP program.

20. Our Students : Up Close & Personal
Why they are involved in the program
The benefits of the program
Colleges and AP
Drawbacks/difficulty of AP
Response to questions
Questions to ask students & parents:
What kinds of experiences “surprised” you about the AP experience?
Some students think they may not be “up to” taking an AP course? What advice can you offer for these students so they don’t miss out on an opportunity?
<<To parents>> What kinds of advice and insight can you offer to new “AP” parents and students?
What can parents do to support their child’s AP experiences and success?

21. Questions and Answers