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SISD Pre-Advanced & Advanced Placement Program Preparing for the Future Montwood Advanced Academics • Montwood H.S. has established a catalog of Advanced Academic courses for students to earn college credit while simultaneously enrolled in high school courses. One way in which students may earn college credit is through Dual Credit courses taught in conjunction with El Paso Community College (EPCC). The second option available for students who wish to earn college credit is completing Advanced Placement courses which prepare students for the corresponding exam. Montwood Advanced Academics • The Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Board affords students the opportunity to complete college level studies at Montwood High School. The purpose of these courses is to provide students with an enriched curriculum, where students follow college level course curriculum which prepares them to score qualifying college credit scores. This purpose has a secondary effect of teaching college readiness skills. Montwood Advanced Academics • The Pre-Advanced Placement (pre-AP) program is a set of courses which follow instructional strategies utilized in the AP program. The courses in the Pre-AP program are designed to prepare students for college level AP courses by challenging them through greater complexity in assigned tasks which aligns to state-mandated and AP curriculum. Montwood Advanced Academics • Advanced Academics courses at Montwood have been aligned to build an academic bridge from high school to college in which students who desire a greater challenge than the state-prescribed curriculum are able to begin the process by enrolling in pre-AP courses and moving forward to AP or Dual Credit courses. What is Pre-AP? • Pre-Advanced Placement Program • Administered by the College Board, and allows students to participate in college preparation courses leading to college level AP courses offered in high school • Provides rigorous courses in grades 7-10 • Develops the skills, habits of mind, and concepts students need to succeed in college SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Pre-AP Beliefs • All students can perform at rigorous academic levels • We can prepare every student for higher intellectual engagement by the development of skills and acquiring of knowledge as early as possible SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Advantages of Pre-AP Courses • Students are better prepared for college • Pre-AP classes are more challenging and rigorous • Students acquire skills needed to succeed in AP courses at the high school level • SpringBoard curriculum is endorsed by College Board SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program What is AP? • The College Board maintains the guidelines for college level courses taught in high school. • The AP Program allows students to enroll in college level classes while in high school and develop strong study habits. • AP teachers must submit a course syllabus to the College Board for approval prior to teaching an AP class. • SISD offers 20 AP courses district-wide. • The College Board administers 31 AP exams in May. SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Strong Curriculum • Students who complete a rigorous high school curriculum, specifically AP courses, are more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree. • A rigorous curriculum is more important than test scores, class rank/GPA in earning a bachelor’s degree. • Finishing math courses beyond Algebra 2 (precalculus/calculus) more than doubles the odds of a student completing a bachelor’s degree once in college. SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Colleges look for: • High school transcripts – coursework and grades earned. • The best transcripts show challenging courses and high grades throughout high school. • The second best transcripts show challenging courses with grades that steadily improve each semester. SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Who should take an AP course? • Students who meet course pre-requisites. • Students identified by teachers or counselors as likely to be successful. • Students who have a high probability of success based on analysis of PSAT and AP Potential. • Students who seek a challenge. • Students who are willing to work hard! SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Why should my student take Pre-AP/AP classes? • Pre-AP/AP strengthen the skills students need to think critically and analyze problems – much like any college level course. • College Admissions Counselors recommend students for admissions based on a rigorous high school course transcript. • Students who succeed in Pre-AP/AP courses generally do well in college. SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Students who take AP courses: • Are better prepared academically • Have higher SAT and ACT scores • Take more advanced courses and choose more challenging majors in college • Have higher GPAs in college • Are more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree in 4 years or less SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Advantages of AP courses: • Students passing Pre-AP courses counting for high school credit, shall receive 5 weighted points per semester.* • Students passing AP courses counting for high school credit shall receive 5 weighted points per semester.* • 10 points are granted to AP students taking the appropriate placement exam in high school.* • Earn college credit or advanced placement for AP test scores or 3, 4, or 5. Each particular college or university identifies the AP courses and AP exam scores for which AP scores will earn college credit or advanced placement. SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Interpretation of Scores 5 = extremely well qualified to receive college credit and/or placement (equivalent to an A in the corresponding college course) 4 = well qualified to receive college credit and/or placement (equivalent to an A-, B+, or B in the corresponding college course) 3 = qualified to receive college credit and/or placement (equivalent to an B-, C+, or C in the corresponding college course) 2 = possibly qualified to receive college credit and/or placement 1 = no recommendation for receiving college credit and/or placement SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program What’s the difference between credit & placement? • Colleges can award “credit” for qualifying AP exam scores. Students actually earn hours toward their college degree. • Colleges can award “advanced placement”. Students can skip introductory courses, enter higherlevel classes, and /or fulfill general education requirements. • Students and parents can visit http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpoli cy/index.jsp to find the various scores accepted by colleges for each subject. SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program How do Pre-AP & AP classes compare to other school courses? • Courses are more challenging and require a higher level of performance. • Students get a head start on college level work. • Students improve their writing skills, study habits, and problem solving abilities. • Pre-AP/AP classes require that students be involved and motivated. • Curriculum and instruction will be presented at a rigorous academic level to ensure students are consistently being challenged. SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program What background does my student need to succeed in Pre-AP/AP courses? Must able to read perceptively and independently. Must possess maturity, motivation, and self-discipline. Have strong foundation in traditional course areas. Must possess good speaking, writing, reading and listening skills. • Be a creative and imaginative thinker. • Have good collaborative skills. • Attend the pre-registration AP seminar • • • • SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program AP students are expected to: • Recognize values and underlying biases. • Engage in disciplined work habits. • Respect honest differences of opinion and ambiguity. • Solve problems; know where and how to get relevant information. • Learn independently and appreciate learning. • In-depth analysis of issues and material relevant to the course SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program AP Student Expectations • College Readiness • Follow course syllabus • Abide by course contract • NOTE: District Policy states that there is no late work accepted for major assignments in Pre-AP and AP courses SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program The AP Exams • Administered over a two week period in May • Approximately 3 hours long • Consist of multiple choice and free response questions • AP reports sent to students, schools and colleges in July • AP score reports available online also SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Why should a student take the AP exam? • Colleges and Universities award college credit for AP scores of 3, 4, and 5 • College credit means students save time and money once in college SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program AP Course & Exam Fees • There are no fees to take AP courses • Most AP exams are free to Socorro ISD students SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Distinguished Achievement Program • • • TEA requires 4 advanced measures in addition to required coursework Three different levels of the same foreign language Students can earn an advanced measure by: • • • • Earning and AP exam score of 3, 4, or 5 Original research/project Grade of 3.0 (B) or higher in a Dual Credit course PSAT score qualifying students as a Commended Scholar SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program How Can Parents Help? Provide a quiet place to study Establish high expectations Communicate with teachers Ensure student attends classes Insist on student responsibility and accountability • Check EHAC • Understand the course rigor and support your child • • • • • SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Additional Requirements for Pre-AP & AP Courses • Students and parents must sign an agreement indicating they agree and understand the requirements of the course(s) • Students with a grade below a 70 will be required to attend tutoring, and parents will be contacted to attend parent conference. SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program Questions? SISD Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement Program