1. The Advanced Placement Program®
Mesquite ISD

2. What is an “AP” Course? AP stands for “Advanced Placement”
AP classes are taught at the college level
This means more independent reading
Students are expected to do more outside research and work
The College Board offers tests for each AP class
Students take AP tests in May
Students can earn college credit based on their AP test scores

3. AP and College Success™
Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less.
Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less.
Source: Camara, Wayne. (2003). College Persistence, Graduation, and Remediation. College Board Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY: College Board.
No AP
1 AP Course
2+ AP Courses

4. Factors in Admission Decisions
Considerable
Moderate
Grades in college prep
79.9%
14.4%
Strength of curriculum
63.8
23.9
Admission test scores
58.5
30.9
Grades in all courses
51.6
40.1
Essay or writing sample
25.8
37.9
Class rank
23.4
43.8
Demonstrated interest
22.0
30.3
Counselor recommendation
21.1
40.4
Teacher recommendation
20.8
40.0
Interview
10.8
23.7
Source: NACAC 2008 State of College Admissions Report

5. AP Credit and Placement Policy Information
Colleges and universities throughout the world offer credit and/or placement for qualifying Advanced Placement Exam scores. Information about AP credit and placement policies at many colleges and universities is now available on the College Board’s Web site:

6. AP Credit and Placement Policy Information
Go to
Type in the name of the college or university whose AP policy you want to view (or browse by letter of the alphabet).
You will see two things for each school that has provided their AP credit policy info:
A link to the college’s own Web page that details its AP credit and placement policies.
A statement by the college or university about its AP policy.

7. Student Participation
The purpose of an Advanced Placement course is to prepare students for the AP test in May.
Students are expected to take the AP exam for all AP classes taken.
Work begins the first day of class!
Some classes have summer assignments

8. What are the requirements for taking an AP class
What are the requirements for taking an AP class? (Teacher completes this recommendation)
Personal Criteria:  GT Student Y N
  Strong study skills and self-motivational skills
  Self-discipline that enables the student to plan, organize,
and carry out tasks to completion
  Interest and academic strength in this particular subject
Academic Criteria:
  Reading on or above grade level (as demonstrated by meeting the
standard on STAAR ELA tests)
  Proficient oral and written communication skills
  Most recent score on the STAAR End of Course Exam is Level 2 or higher.
  Semester Grade average of 85 or higher in the class/course of the
subject area.
  Teacher recommendation if the semester grade is below 85 in the
subject area/course (written)

9. If I sign up for an AP class, can I get out of it?
District expectation is that students remain in enrolled course.
We ask that the student AND parent sign the AP contract, and therefore expect the commitment to be honored
A “seat” is reserved for your student
AP teachers are trained to assist all students; success is our goal!

10. AP Exam fees
For Spanish, History, Art and Psychology exams:
Total cost to student is $89 per exam
$15 deposit
$74 balance
Students on free / reduced lunch pay $15 per test

11. AP Exam fees
For all Math, Science and English exams:
Total cost to student is $69 per exam
$15 deposit
$54 balance
Students on free / reduced lunch pay $15 per test

12. Environ-mental Science
AP Courses offered
English Language
English Literature
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature
Calculus AB
US History
Government
Economics
Psychology
Biology
Environ-mental Science
Chemistry
Studio Art: Drawing
Studio Art: 2D 3D
Physics
Statistics
Human Geography
World History
Calculus BC

13. Benefits of Taking AP Classes
Confidence
Better study habits
Improved writing skills
Improved problem-solving skills
Tuition savings / College credit (based on AP Test scores)
Increased grade points
Strengthened college admission portfolio

14. Distinguished Achievement Program
Students complete:
the recommended plan
a third year of foreign language
earn 4 advanced measures

15. DAP - Advanced Measures
(1)  original research/project
(2)  test data where a student receives:
(A)  a score of three or above on the College Board advanced placement examination;
(B)  a score on the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program of the College Board or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding African American Students of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
(3)  college academic courses, advanced technical credit courses, and dual credit courses, including local articulation, with a grade of 3.0 or higher.

16. PSAT and SAT Prep www.collegeboard.com has SAT Boot Camp at JHHS
Sample questions
Full tests for practice
On-line prep course
SAT Question of the Day
Personalized Study Plan
SAT Boot Camp at JHHS
Naviance – “Prep Me”
Many books with test prep help

24. Dual Credit Classes Classes offered through Eastfield
Students receive both college and high school credit (hence “DUAL” credit)
Some are on the Eastfield campus and some are on the JHHS campus
Two classes offered on campus:
DC English 4 (ENGL 1301 & 1302)
DC US Government (GOVT 2305)

25. Dual Credit (cont.)
Students must apply and complete some testing through Eastfield
Classes are FREE for Dual Credit students
See your student’s counselor for the application packet and process

26. Questions?