The Advanced Placement Program Foster High School January

The Advanced Placement Program Foster High School January 13, 2020

Welcome and Introductions Presenters: Karen Klobedans - AP Statistics teacher/AP Ambassador Sponsor Nikolas Koelzer Cole Krenek Anna Monleon Miguel Jimenez Lisette Leano Olive Okoro Julia Hobson Mitchell Imrie Sophia Lazcano

Overview College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Program AP Courses Ø College-level courses offered in high school Ø Reflect curriculum from top introductory college courses End of Course AP Exams Ø Standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered college-level course work. Ø Students who do well on AP Exams can earn credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admission officers that students have sought out the most rigorous curriculum available to them.

AP Courses and Exams at Foster High School Offers 27 AP Courses History & Social Sciences Ø Ø Ø European History Human Geography Macroeconomics Psychology United States Government and Politics Ø United States History Ø World History English Ø Language and Composition (English III) Ø Literature and Composition (English IV) Mathematics & Computer Ø Ø Ø Science Statistics Calculus AB Calculus BC Computer Science Principles Computer Science A Ø Ø Ø Biology Chemistry Environmental Science Physics I Physics C: Mechanics World Languages Ø French Language Ø Spanish Literature Arts Ø Art History Ø Music Theory Ø Studio Art (Drawing: 2 D, 3 D) Ø Seminar Ø Research Capstone

AP Myths and Realities Myths Realities AP Courses are only 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 workload. 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 based on a 3 or higher on an AP Exam and simply look more favorably on students who have attempted the AP Exams. Taking AP courses could hurt my GPA. Foster HS provides a 1. 3 advanced multiplier towards a student’s GPA. Taking AP courses shows colleges that you are willing to challenge yourself academically. I can't take AP because I don't have time. There are numerous students who balance their AP coursework with their extracurricular activities, including part-time jobs.

What Are AP Classes Like? Taking AP courses is an interesting and rewarding academic experience that helps students to: AP classes: Ø Think critically Ø Analyze and synthesize facts and data Ø Weigh competing perspectives Ø Write clearly and persuasively Ø Learn independently Ø Contain more intense and in-depth concepts Ø Can move at a faster pace BU T They are doable if students: Are willing to harness the responsibilities included in taking AP classes by taking advantage of the available resources and support.

AP Resources and Support AP Ambassadors Ø Foster has opened an AP Student Canvas with study material and tips. Ø LCISD has partnered with Khan Academy in order to provide review material for AP Classes. Ø College Board also provides specific review material and test structure support for AP Students through AP Classroom. Ø Students can check out a laptop and AP Review books through the FHS library. Ø AP Ambassadors offer study skills sessions and peer tutorial groups. Learning management systems, like Canvas, are used in the college environment as well.

AP Exams are administered by schools worldwide on set dates each MAY. The general exam fee is $94 per exam with additional charges for courses requiring extra material submissions. Ø Monetary assistance is available through College Board and through the district for students with financial need. Exams usually last around three hours. AP Exams generally contain: Ø Multiple-choice questions Ø Free-response questions (essay, problem-solving, oral response) Students can earn college credit by taking and passing the AP exams

Why Take AP Exams? More than 3, 200 colleges and universities offer credit or advanced placement for qualifying AP Exam scores. This includes more than 90 percent of four-year U. S. colleges and universities. Credit Ø Students earn credit for coursework toward their college degrees Advanced Placement Ø Students can skip introductory courses Ø Enter higher-level classes or honors programs Ø Fulfill general education requirements

AP Credit Expands Students' Options College credit earned through AP Exams allows students to move into upper-level college courses sooner, pursue a double major, graduate earlier and/or gain time to study and travel abroad. “As a freshman, I was able to skip general education requirements and head straight into the higher-level classes I wanted to take. Taking AP Exams literally saved me semesters of time. ” —Brent Wiese, University of Iowa

AP in Action at Foster High School Ø There were 882 exams taken last year by 509 different students Ø 49% of these students earned scores of 3 or higher. Ø Foster High School had 57 AP Scholars in 2019. AP Scholars demonstrate superior college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. They receive an award certificate, and this achievement is acknowledged on any AP score report that is sent to colleges the following fall. Quote from former student: “I can definitely say that I am a more prepared college student because of my AP course load in high school. College courses (and often life) require you to think outside the box and my AP classes helped me to develop that skill. ”

The AP Student Perspective Your time in AP courses is reflected by more than just a number. Hear from AP students as they reflect on their experiences in AP classes. AP Student Presenters: 10 th Grade: Miguel Jimenez 11 th Grade: Lisette Leano 12 th Grade: Anna Monleon

AP and College Admission Colleges rank “Grades in college prep courses” and “Strength of curriculum” as the top two factors in the admission decision 85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions “We look favorably on students who have taken AP courses. The presence of AP courses is a sign that a student has chosen to challenge him/herself. ” —Admission Officer

AP Boosts Eligibility for Scholarships 31% of colleges and universities consider a student’s AP experience when making decisions about which students will receive scholarships. “Having the AP Exam score can make the difference when it comes down to awarding precious scholarship dollars. ” —Edwina Harris Hamby, former Dean of Admission, Fisk University

AP and College Success A recent study showed that students who earned a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Exam had higher first-year college grade point averages and were more likely to return for the second year of college than non-AP students of similar ability. “One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is [the] performance on Advanced Placement Examinations. ” —William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, Harvard University

AP Helps Students Graduate on Time Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a college degree on time. 1 in 4 students who enter college complete a bachelor's degree in 4 years. A recent study showed that students taking AP courses and exams were exponentially more likely to earn a college degree in 4 years. For example, AP English Literature students had four-year college graduation rates that were 62% higher than students that had not taken AP English Literature.

Impact of AP Course Enrollment on College Graduation Rates Student Group AP Exam Score of 3, 4, 5 AP Exam Score of 1, 2 Took AP course, but not AP exam African. American 28% higher 22% higher 16% higher Hispanic 28% higher 12% higher 10% higher White 33% higher 22% higher 20% higher Low-Income 26% higher 17% higher 12% higher Not Low-Income 34% higher 23% higher 19% higher

AP Helps Students Saves Money Lamar Consolidated ISD Data (May 2019) Students took 2, 059 AP exams resulting in scores of a 3, 4, or 5 Ø This yields an estimated 6, 177 college credits for these students (assuming each score of 3 or above results in 3 college credits) Ø At an average rate of $300 per credit hour (based on information posted on websites of various Texas public universities), the savings for Lamar CISD students & families totals to. . . Approximately $1, 850, 000

In Review. . . AP courses can be challenging, but it is work that pays off. and fulfilling courses a student AP courses are often the most interesting takes in high school. AP teachers are among the most prepared, dedicated and inspiring staff members. They have high standards for their students and encourage personal growth throughout the year. In Advanced Placement classes, students Ø Ø Ø Develop an increased self-confidence Learn study habits that will benefit them past high school Develop time management and organizational skills Communicate their unique perspectives on classroom material Experience a college-level class while receiving the support to get you there "All students can learn to succeed, but not in the same way and not in the same day. " - William G. Spady

Start the AP Conversation Help your child prepare to talk to a teacher or counselor about AP. Here are some questions to encourage your child to think about: What AP course is right for Ø Before you talkme? to a teacher or counselor, think about what interests you. Ø Which courses do you enjoy most in school? In which subjects do you excel? Ø What college majors are you considering? What careers excite you? What steps do I need to take? Ø May I speak with a student who has taken an AP course? Ø Are there study groups or people who can offer help if I need it? Ø What can I do next to help me prepare for AP? Ask your counselor or teacher the following questions: Ø In which AP courses at our school am I likely to do well? Ø What is a good “first” AP course to take? Ø Are there other courses that can help me succeed in AP or prepare me for college and careers?

THANK YOU!